document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=174269>Question 174269</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The longest side of a triangle is 11 inches, the second side is 8 inches shorter than that. Find the 3rd side. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #129239 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><B>nerdybill(7384)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=nerdybill><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=nerdybill><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=129239\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The longest side of a triangle is 11 inches, the second side is 8 inches shorter than that. Find the 3rd side.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You must apply Pythagorean theorem.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The longest side (11 inches) is the hypothenuse.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The second side (since it is 8 inches shorter) is 3 inches.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Therefore:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let x = third side<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Then we have:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 3^2 = 11^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 9 = 121<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 = 112<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = {-10.583, 10.583}<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Tossing out the negative answer:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3rd side is 10.583 inches<BR>\n" );
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