One leg of a right triangle is 1 foot less than twice the other. The hypotenuse is 17 feet. Find the length of the two new legs.

Question

Geometry Word Problems

Answer 1

Let x = one leg

Let 2x - 1 = the other leg

x² + (2x-1)² = 17²

x² + 4x² - 4x + 1 = 289

5x² - 4x - 288 = 0

(5x + 36)(x - 8) = 0

5x + 36 = 0    or x - 8 = 0

5x = -36  (illogical answer)   or x = 8 feet

2x - 1 = 2(8) - 1 = 15 feet = the other leg