Word problems (help)

Question

The hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is 45 cm. The difference between its other two sides is 9 cm. Find the length of shorter side.

Answer 1

Let x = length of the longer unknown side and let y = length of the shorter unknown side.

Since x - y = 9, y = x - 9. .

By the Pythagorean Theorem, x² + (x - 9)² = 45².

So, 2x² - 18x - 1944 = 0

Divide by 2 to get x² - 9x - 972 = 0.

Use the Quadratic Formula to find x.

Answer 2

Draw and label a diagram

x is the short leg

x + 9 is the long leg

x² + (x + 9)² = 45²

Can you solve for x and answer?