document.write( "Question 366879: The sum of the lengths of the two legs of a right triangle is 21 inches. If the length of the hypotenuse is 15 inches, find the length of the legs. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #261517 by ewatrrr(24785) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "Hi, 
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document.write( "Let x represent the length of one of the legs, then (21-x) would be the other leg
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document.write( "Applying the Pythagorean Theorem
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document.write( "x^2 + (21-x)^2 = 15^2
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document.write( "x^2 + 441 - 42x + x^2 = 225
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document.write( "2x^2 -42x + 216 = 0
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document.write( "x^2 -21x + 108 = 0
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document.write( "(x-12)(x-9) = 0
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document.write( "x= 12
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document.write( "x= 9\r
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document.write( "legs are 9in and 12in  (21in - 9in) \n" );
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