SOLUTION: how do i find the missing length of a right triangle if a=12 and b=18

Question 195605: how do i find the missing length of a right triangle if a=12 and b=18
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's make "x" the unknown side.

Start with the Pythagorean theorem.

Plug in , ,

Square to get .

Square to get .

Combine like terms.

Rearrange the equation.

Take the square root of both sides. Note: only the positive square root is considered (since a negative length doesn't make sense).

Simplify the square root.

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Answer:

So the solution is which approximates to .
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
find the missing length of a right triangle if a=12 and b=18
---------------
c^2 = a^2 + b^2
-------
c = sqrt(12^2 + 18^2)
c = sqrt(468)
c = 21.63....
Cheers,
Stan H.
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