SOLUTION: Find the length of the shorter leg of a right triangle if the longer leg is 6 feet more than the shorter leg and the hypothenuse is 6 feet less than twice the shorter leg.

Question 228927: Find the length of the shorter leg of a right triangle if the longer leg is 6 feet more than the shorter leg and the hypothenuse is 6 feet less than twice the shorter leg.
Answer by edjones(8007) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a=shorter leg, b=longer leg, c=hypotenuse
b=a+6
c=2a-6
a^2+b^2=c^2
a^2+(a+6)^2=(2a-6)^2
a^2+a^2+12a+36=4a^2-24a+36
2a^2+12a=4a^2-24a subtract 36 from each side.
a^2+6a=2a^2-12a divide each side by 2.
a^2-18a=0
a(a-18)=0 factor
a=0, a=18
18' shortest leg's length.
.
Ed
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