write an equation you could use to find the length of the missing side of the right triangle. then find the missing length. round to the nearest tenth.
2007-04-18 06:59:09 · 5 answers · asked by kenny powell 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
It could either be
sqrt(16^2 + 12^2)
Or
sqrt(16^2 - 12^2)
depending on which 2 sides you've been given.
2007-04-18 07:03:51 · answer #1 · answered by Dr D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
a,16in; b, 12in So the third side by custom is c the hypotenuse.
c^2 =a^2+b^2
c = +/- sqrt(16^2+12^2)
c= sqrt(400) = 20
We reject the answer -20 because a triangle cannot have a side of negative length.
2007-04-18 07:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assume the missing side is the hypotenuse; then by our old friend Pythagoreus:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where c is the missing side
c = sqr[a^2 + b^2] = sqr[16^2 + 12^2] = sqr[400] = 20
2007-04-18 12:51:35 · answer #3 · answered by kellenraid 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's either sqrt(16^2 + 12^2) = 20
or sqrt(16^2 - 12^2) = 10.6 (to the nearest 10th)
2007-04-18 07:06:35 · answer #4 · answered by Dave 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure yahoo answers is the necessarily the way ahead for doing homework. If you don't understand the problem ask your teacher.
2007-04-18 07:07:13 · answer #5 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋