find the dimensions of the triangle

Question

length of the longer leg of a right triangle is 2ft longer than the length of the shorter leg x. The hypotenuse is 2 ft shorter than twice the length of the shorter leg. Find the dimensions of the triangle

Answer 1

Assuming the short leg is X...

The length of the longer leg is 2FT longer than that, so: X + 2

Hypotenuse is 2FT shorter than TWICE the shorter leg, x, so:  2X - 2

Finding the length of three sides, use your Pythagoras' theorem: c²= a² + b²

Substitute the longer, shorter and hypotenuse lengths in accordingly.

Solve for X. [Rearrange, Simplify, and Factor]

Use value for X, the shorter leg, and calculate the longer leg and hypotenuse from the equations above.