SOLUTION: We have a right triangle with the base of 24 inches (a) and a hypotenuse of 74 inches (b), determine the value of the last leg (c) of the triangle. c = ? inches b (hypotenuse)

Question 788189: We have a right triangle with the base of 24 inches (a) and a hypotenuse of 74 inches (b), determine the value of the last leg (c) of the triangle.
c = ? inches
b (hypotenuse) = 74 inches
a = 24 inches
The above is not my actual question, I've already worked my answer down to "6052 inches = c^2" using the pythagorean theorem but I am still confused about how a "77.79 = c" can be narrowed down to an 70?
Basically my question to you is: How did the calculated answer, "77.79 in. = c", become a "70 in. = c"?

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

We have a right triangle with the base of 24 inches (a) and a hypotenuse of 74 inches (b), determine the value of the last leg (c) of the triangle.
c = ? inches
b (hypotenuse) = 74 inches
a = 24 inches
The above is not my actual question, I've already worked my answer down to "6052 inches = c^2" using the pythagorean theorem but I am still confused about how a "77.79 = c" can be narrowed down to an 70?
Basically my question to you is: How did the calculated answer, "77.79 in. = c", become a "70 in. = c"?

Your error was adding the two squares.

The pythagorean formula states: , where c is the longest side of the triangle, which is the hypotenuse. Therefore, with a being the unknown leg, b being the other leg (24"), and c being the hypotenuse (74"), becomes:

I would believe that you'll be able to complete this and determine "a" or the other leg!!
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