document.write( "Question 148671: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10. One side is 2 less than the other. Find the length of each leg. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #109004 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10. One side is 2 less than the other. Find the length of each leg. \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Using our old friend: a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Let a = x \n" ); document.write( "Let b = (x+2) \n" ); document.write( "Given: c = 10 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + (x+2)^2 = 10^2 \n" ); document.write( "FOIL (x+2)(x+2) \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + (x^2 + 4x + 4) = 100 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "2x^2 + 4x + 4 - 100 = 0 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "2x^2 + 4x - 96 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Simplify, /2 \n" ); document.write( "x^2 + 2x - 48 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "Factor \n" ); document.write( "(x+8)(x-6) = 0 \n" ); document.write( "positive solution: \n" ); document.write( "x = 6 is one leg and the other leg = 8 \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "Check solution: \n" ); document.write( "6^2 + 8^2 = \n" ); document.write( "36 + 64 = 100 which is 10^2 \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |