if the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 17 and the length of one leg is 8, what is the length of the other leg

Question

im confused pls help

Answer 1

Pythagorean Theorem:  a²+b² = c²

where a, b are the sides of the right triangle and c is the hypotenuse

 

8² + x² = 17²   where x is the other side

x² = 17² - 8²

x² = 289-64

x² = 225

x = √225

x = 15

Answer 2

Hello Yareles,

Word problems can be confusing at times. No worries. 

The problem you present is solvable by using the Pythagorean Theorem. 

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 

You have one leg of the triangle given as 8 and the hypotenuse as 17 given in the problem. It matters little whether you assign the value of 8 to a or b.  Let's assign it to a, okay?

8^2 + b^2 = 17^2

64 + b^2 = 289 

b^2 = 225 

b = sq root of 225 

b = 15 



Now, we want to proof our work, right? 

8^2 + 15^2 = 17^2   Are both sides of our equation equal? 

64 + 225 = 289  

289 = 289 


I hope I have helped you. If you have further questions, feel free to comment below. I wish you a great week ahead.