College Algebra Homework "hypotenuse of a right triangle".

Question

The hypotenuse of right triangle is 68 miles long. The difference between the other two sides is 28 miles. Find the missing sides. Use exact values.

Short leg: miles

longer leg: miles

Hypotenuse 68 miles

thank you!

Answer 1

Well I wrote this all out on a piece of paper, but I don’t know think I can upload a photo. Basically though,

use the Pythagorean identity. You know the length of the hypotenuse c, and you know that the longer side length b = a + 28. Put those two together and solve using the quadratic formula (or factoring but it’s a large number), and remember that you can’t have a negative side length!

reply if you have any questions or know how to upload a picture and I’ll try to reply soon!

best,

Carmine