SOLUTION: Could I have some help on the following problem, can't seem to solve. The hypotenuse of a triangle is 10ft long. The longer one is two feet longer than the other. Find the length o

Question 190580: Could I have some help on the following problem, can't seem to solve. The hypotenuse of a triangle is 10ft long. The longer one is two feet longer than the other. Find the length of the shorter leg.
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x be the length of the shorter leg, then the longer leg is x+2.
Using the Pythagorean theorem , we can write:
Simplifying, we get:
Subtracting 100 from both sides and rearranging, we have:
This can be factored into...
so...
Factor this into...
Applying the zero product rule...
or so that...
or Discard the negative solution as lengths are positive quantities.

The shorter leg is 6 feet.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Could I have some help figuring out this problem. Thank you. The hypotenuse of a right... (answered by nerdybill)

I've been stuck on this problem for a long time, and I REALLY need some help! The... (answered by issacodegard)

I have a world problem that I need help solving. Thank you. The hypotenuse of a right... (answered by nerdybill)

Do not seem to be able to find the right substitutions to solve the problem. Problem:... (answered by ikleyn)

Using the Pythagorean Theorem and a quadratic equation to find side lengths of a right... (answered by ewatrrr)

PLEASE help me with this.... one side of a triangle has a length of 5x-2. a longer side... (answered by bucky)

Solve the following word problem. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is four feet... (answered by jim_thompson5910,checkley75)

I have no idea how to solve this problem. (A country gas hired a surveying firm to survey (answered by vleith)

I would like some assistance in solving a right triangle hypotenuse problem. I have the... (answered by Alan3354)