I am not sure how to set up or solve this problem!
2007-12-02 09:53:07 · 3 answers · asked by Lorraine 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
The answer should be:
shorter leg is 12 inches
longer leg is 16 inches
but i cant seem to get that answer??
2007-12-02 10:14:33 · update #1
If I had only finished working the problem earlier I would have solved it but I stopped b/c I wasnt sure!
Thanks Como for all your help!!
2007-12-02 11:14:54 · update #2
x² + (x + 4)² = 20²
x² + x² + 8x + 16 = 400
2x² + 8x - 384 = 0
x² + 4x - 192 = 0
(x - 12)(x + 16) = 0
x = 12 is acceptable.
Sides are 12 in and 16 in
2007-12-02 10:53:45 · answer #1 · answered by Como 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
c^2 = x^2 + (x + 4)^2
Always choose x for the smaller value.
Square root of 20 =( x + x + 4) square root of
20 = 2x + 4 subtract 4 from both sides
16= 2x
8 = x
8 is smaller leg, 12 is larger leg. Let us check: 8 + 12 =20
2007-12-02 18:07:05 · answer #2 · answered by gzlakewood@sbcglobal.net 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let the two legs be: A and B, anf the hypotenuse be C = 20; then use:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_theorem
and A + 4 = B.
You have two equations, and two unknowns. So solve it.
2007-12-02 17:59:43 · answer #3 · answered by Nigel M 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋