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.

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Triangles -> 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.      Log On

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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(16872) About Me  (Show Source):
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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:



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