If my hypotenuse is 60ft, and one other side is 48 ft. How do I find the base of my triangle. I know that to find the hypotenuse is a^2 + b^2 = c^2. But when I try to figure out "b" I am getting very wrong answers! Help!!! It seems like it should be so simple!
2007-03-10 12:06:17 · 7 answers · asked by donnam4863 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
Your right, it is very easy.
assume
a=48 (your given side)
b= x (the unknown)
c=60 (your hypotenuse).
Therefore: 48^2 + x^2 = 60^2.
From here you can either use your calculator's equation solver, or do it by hand:
48^2 + x^2 = 60^2.
therefore
x^2 = 60^2-48^2
= 3600-2304
= 1296
and if x^2=1296,
x = the root of 1296
therfore x = 36.
2007-03-10 12:13:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
Here we are given a and c, and we have to find b.
Substituting, we get
48^2 + b^2 = 60^2.
b^2 = 60^2 - 48^2 = 3600 - 2304 = 1296 = 36^2
b^2 = 36^2
Thus
b = 36
2007-03-10 12:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by curious 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's all the steps in gory detail if the other answers didn't enlighten you:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2 (we *are* talking about a right triangle, correct?)
a^2 + (48)^2 = (60)^2
a^2 = (60)^2 - (48)^2
a^2 = 3600 - 2304 = 1269
a = sqrt(1269)
a = 36
2007-03-10 12:16:39 · answer #3 · answered by Dave R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
3^2 + 4^2 = 5^2
6^2 + 8^2 = 10^2
Note: 6=3x2, 8=4x2, 10=5x2
Thus,
60=5x12
48=4x12
As 36=3x12,
Therefore, 36^2 + 48^2 = 60^2,
Answer: the length of the base is 36ft.
2007-03-10 12:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by gummstein 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Correct Sq rt 1296 = 36
2007-03-10 12:10:02 · answer #5 · answered by richardwptljc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
36
2007-03-10 12:11:51 · answer #6 · answered by AnneMarie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do 60^2 minus 48^2 and then take the square root of that
60^2 - 48^2 = 1296
square root 1296 = 36
and thats your answer
2007-03-10 12:09:01 · answer #7 · answered by shark7777 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋