The long leg of a right triangle is 49 feet longer than the short leg. The hypotenuse is 61 feet long. How long are the legs of the right triangle?

Answer 1

61^2 = L^2 + S^2

3721 = (S+49)^2 + S^2 = S^2 + 98S + 49^2 + S^2

2S^2 + 98S = 3721-2401 = 1320

S^2 + 49S - 660=0

S = -49/2 + (1/2)sqr(2401+2640) = -24.5 +(.5)sqr(5051) =-35.5-24.5 = 11

S= 11 feet for the shorter side

L= 60 feet for the longer side

61^2 = 60^2 + 11^2

3721 = 3600 + 121