pythagorean 2

Question

Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the missing side.



c=7

a=5
find b

Answer 1

a squared plus b squared = c squared, where c is the hypotenuse (longest side) of any right triangle.

 

Therefore b² = c² - a².

 

Whew!  I've done so much work, I think I'll let you substitute specific values into the right side.  The value of b will be a square root, and this will be a wonderful opportunity to use those skills learned previously to simplify a radical.

Answer 2

Two possible scenarios :

 

  #1.  a and c are the sides of the right angle ⇒ b² = a² + c² = 25 + 49 = 74 and b = √74 , the hypotenuse ... about 8.6

 

  #2.  Can c be the hypotenuse ?  c² =? a² + b²  ⇔ 49 =? 25 + b²  ⇒ b² = 24 and b = √24 ... about 4.899, a and b being the sides of the right angle.