SOLUTION: Suppose that the length of one leg of a right triangle is 4 inches more than the length of the other leg. If the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches, find the lengths of the

Question 715413:
Suppose that the length of one leg of a right triangle is 4 inches more than the length of the other leg. If the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches, find the lengths of the two legs.
Can someone show me how to solve this problem and the answer? Thank you
Answer by checkley79(3341) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A^2+B^2=C^2
X^2+(X+4)^2=20^2
X^2+X^2+8X+16=400
2X^2+8X+16-400=0
2X^2+8X-384=0
2(X^2+4X-192)=0
(X+16)(X-12)=0
X-12=0
X=12 IN. ANS. FOR SIDE A.
12+4=16 IN. ANS. FOR SIDE B.
PROOF:
12^2+16^2=20^2
144+256=400
400=400

RELATED QUESTIONS
Suppose that the length of one leg of a right triangle is 3 in more than the length of... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

one leg of a right triangle measures three inches less than the other leg. find the... (answered by nerdybill)

One leg of a right triangle exceeds the other leg by 4 inches. The hypotenuse is 20... (answered by ikleyn)

I am having trouble setting up the following equation: Suppose that the length of one... (answered by longjonsilver)

The hypotenuse of the right triangle is 26. One leg is 4 more than twice the other leg.... (answered by Theo,harpazo)

a sign in the shape of a right triangle has one leg that is 51 inches longer than the... (answered by Fombitz)

One leg of a right triangle is 44 inches more than twicetwice the length of the... (answered by MathLover1,Alan3354,josgarithmetic)

the length of one leg of a right triangle is 40 inches and the length of the hypotenuse... (answered by TimothyLamb)

if the length of one leg of a right triangle is 4 and the length of the hypotenuse is 12, (answered by FrankM)