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

Algebra.Com
Question 308612: 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.
I already know the formula, I can't work it out. I don't know how.

Answer by mananth(16946)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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.
let the shorter leg be x
3times shorter leg = 3x
8 feet less than 3 times shorter leg = 3x-8
Hypotenuse = 3x-8
.
2 times shorter leg = 2x
8 feet more than 2 times shorter leg
longer leg =2x+8
.
x^2+(2x+8)^2= (3x-8)^2
x^2+4x^2+32x+64 = 9x^2-48x+64
4x^2-80x=0
4x(x-20)=0
x=20 feet
shorter leg = x
longer leg = 2x+8
=40+8
=48 feet
.
hypotenuse = 3x-8
= 60-8
= 52 feet
.
20^+48^2= 52^2
2704 = 2704






RELATED QUESTIONS

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and... (answered by checkley77)
the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8feet less then three times the shorter leg and the (answered by nerdybill)
hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 ft less than three times the shorter leg, longer leg... (answered by mananth)
Find the length of the shorter leg of a right triangle if the longer leg is 8 feet more... (answered by ikleyn)
I need some help with these two questions please? 1. Solve by factoring and using the... (answered by jim_thompson5910)
I need help with this question. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than (answered by scott8148)
If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than 3 times shorter leg and the... (answered by scott8148)
Find the length of the shorter leg of a right triangle if the longer leg is 12 feet more... (answered by solver91311,stanbon)
Find the length of the shorter leg of a right triangle if the longer leg is 14 feet more... (answered by josgarithmetic)