SOLUTION: Here is my question: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15cm. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle if one side is 3 cm longer than the other. I came up with this

Question 14701: Here is my question:
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15cm. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle if one side is 3 cm longer than the other.
I came up with this formula: 15^2=x^2+(x+3)^2
Then I get x^2+x^2+6x+9 = 225
2x^2+6x+9 = 225

Then I am lost. Please help!

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are doing fine so far.
Subtract 225 from both sides.
Factor a 2 just to make process a little easier.
Factor the parentheses.
Apply the zero products principle.
or
If x - 9 = 0, then x = 9
If x + 12 = 0, then x = -12 Discard this solution as the length can't be negative.
The lengths of the sides are:
9 cm and 12 cm.
Check:

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