College algebra

Question

A toy manufacturer needs a piece of plastic in the shape of a right triangle with the longer leg 3 cm more than the shorter leg and the hypotenuse 6 cm more than the shorter leg. How long should the sides of the triangle be?

Answer 1

s² + (s + 3)³ = (s + 6)²

 

s² + (s + 3)(s + 3) = (s + 6)(s + 6)

s² + s² + 6s + 9 = s² + 12s + 36

s² - 6s - 27 = 0

(s - 9)(s + 3) = 0

 

s - 9 = 0

s = 9

 

9, 12, and 15 cm

 

s + 3 = 0

s = -3

 

Since length is never negative, this is out.