SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 inches longer than the shorter leg. The longer leg is 4 inches longer than the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg.
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Question 334126: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 inches longer than the shorter leg. The longer leg is 4 inches longer than the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg.
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let 
represent the measure of the short leg. Then 
must represent the measure of the long leg, and 
must represent the measure of the hypotenuse.
Use Pythagoras:
^2\ =\ (x\ +\ 4)^2\ +\ x^2)
Expand the two squared binomials, collect like terms, and solve the resulting quadratic for , the measure of the short leg.
John
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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