SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5 inches. The lengths of the two legs are given by two consecutive integers. Find the lengths of the two legs.

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Question 225108: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5 inches. The lengths of the two legs are given by two consecutive integers. Find the lengths of the two legs.
Found 2 solutions by rfer, Earlsdon:
Answer by rfer(16322)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a triple
A good ole 3, 4, 5 triangle

Answer by Earlsdon(6294)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the two legs be x and x+1, then from the Pythagorean theorem, we have:


Subtract 25 from both sides.
Factor out a 2.
so...
Factor this quadratic equation.
and...
or Discard the negative solution as lengths are positive.
and
The two legs are 3 inches and 4 inches.

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