document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=361348>Question 361348</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi, I was wondering if someone could possibly help me. I am supposed to do these homework questions in my Algebra class, but I am having a hard time getting started. I don't know what steps to go through to obtain the answer. The back of the book shows the answers, but that doesn't help me much. I need to show I got to the answer. If anyone could possibly assist me, by showing me how you obtained the answer, I would be forever grateful! :o)  \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Section 11.2, Pg. 764, #79\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "The longer leg of a right triangle exceeds the shorter leg by 1 inch, and the hypotenuse exceeds the longer leg by 7 inches. Find the lengths of the legs. Round to the nearest tenth of a inch. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "The answer the book shows is: 17.6in. and 18.6 in. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "I don't understand how they were able to get this answer. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #257690 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><B>stanbon(75887)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=stanbon><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=257690\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The longer leg of a right triangle exceeds the shorter leg by 1 inch, and the hypotenuse exceeds the longer leg by 7 inches. Find the lengths of the legs. Round to the nearest tenth of a inch. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The answer the book shows is: 17.6in. and 18.6 in.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "shorter leg: x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "longer leg: x+1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "hypotenuse: x+8 <BR>\n" );
document.write( "(x+8)^2 = (x+1)^2 + x^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 + 16x + 64 = x^2+2x+1 + x^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2 -14x -63 = 0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Quadratic formula:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [-b +- sqrt(b^2-4ac)]/(2a)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [14 +- sqrt(196-4*1*-63)/(2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [14 +- sqrt(448)]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = [14 +- 21.17]/2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Positive solution:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 17.6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+1 = 18.6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "----<BR>\n" );
document.write( "shorter leg: x = 17.6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "longer leg: x+1 = 18.6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "---------------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Cheers,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Stan H.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "--------------------------- </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );