SOLUTION: I have a problem that has stumped me that has not been covered in our course material, as far as way the problem is structured. It involves the pythagorean theorum. It asks, if you

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: I have a problem that has stumped me that has not been covered in our course material, as far as way the problem is structured. It involves the pythagorean theorum. It asks, if you      Log On


   

Question 205464: I have a problem that has stumped me that has not been covered in our course material, as far as way the problem is structured. It involves the pythagorean theorum. It asks, if you were to construct a right triangle where the shortest side is 5 feet less than the longest side and 3 feet more than the shortest side, what are the length of all three sides?
I know the formula, but I am confused on how it should be translated. I tried (h-8)^2 + (h-7)^2 = h^2 but I end up with 2 similar factorable polynomials and keep running into prime number 113 and not a quadratic problem. Any help would be great.
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20086) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You made a mistake typing!
You have this:
>>...the shortest side is 5 feet less than the longest side and 3 feet more than the shortest side...<<
That says
>>...the shortest side is...3 feet more than the shortest side...<<
Nothing can be longer than itself!!! J
Edwin