SOLUTION: Can someone help the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2.5 units long. The longer leg is 1.3 units longer then the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle.

Question 166804: Can someone help
the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2.5 units long. The longer leg is 1.3 units longer then the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2.5 units long. The longer leg is 1.3 units longer then the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the sides.
:
Remember our old friend; a^2 + b^2 = c^2
:
Let x = the shorter leg
then
(x+1.3) = the longer leg:
:
Replace a & b with these expressions, replace c with 2.5
:
x^2 + (x+1.3)^2 = 2.5^2
:
x^2 + (x^2 + 2.6x + 1.69) = 6.25
:
x^2 + x^2 + 3.6x + 1.69 - 6.25 = 0; arrange to form a quadratic equation
:
2x^2 + 3.6x - 4.56 = 0
:
Using the quadratic equation, a=2; b=3.6; c=-4.56
x ~ .9938 ~ 1; the shorter leg
and
1 + 1.3 = 2.3; the longer leg
:
Check solution with calc; enter = 2.508 ~ 2.5
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