SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and the longer leg is 8 feet more than twice the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the three sides

Question 259291: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and the longer leg is 8 feet more than twice the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the three sides of the triangle.
How do I do this? I know a^2+b^2=c^2.
and
3x-8 =shorter
8+2x =longer
Am I setting this up correctly?

Answer by Fombitz(32388) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You're close.

The hypotenuse is c.
Let "a" be the shorter leg and let "b" be the longer leg
.
.
.
"hypotenuse is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg "

"longer"

Now you can substitute into the top equation and solve for "a".
Re-post if you get stuck.
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