document.write( "Question 294600: A right triangle has legs of 12 ft and 16 ft.
\n" ); document.write( "Find the longest side of the triangle. I don't get this at all :( help please \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #212406 by Earlsdon(6294) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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A right triangle is composed of two sides called legs and a third side called the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is always the longest side in a right triangle.
\n" ); document.write( "Using the Pythagorean theorem for right triangles: $\"c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2\"$ where c = the length of the hypoenuse, and a & b are the lenghts of the two legs, you can find the length of the hypotenuse if you are given the lengths of the two legs.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2\"$ Substitute a = 12 and b = 16.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"c%5E2+=+12%5E2%2B16%5E2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"c%5E2+=+144%2B256\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"c%5E2+=+400\"$ Take the square root of both sides.
\n" ); document.write( " $\"highlight%28c+=+20%29\"$ ft. \n" ); document.write( "

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