document.write( "Question 618436: The hypotenuse of a triangle is 5 feet long the longer of the two legs is one foot longer than the other find the length of the shorter leg \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #388907 by ewatrrr(24785) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "Hi,
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document.write( "The hypotenuse of a triangle is 5 feet long
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document.write( "the longer of the two legs is one foot longer than the shorter 
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document.write( "Applying the Pythagorean Theorem:  legs  and 
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document.write( " x^2 + (x+1)^2 = 25
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document.write( " x^2 + x^2 + 2x + 1 = 25
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document.write( " 2x^2 + 2x - 24 = 0
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document.write( "  x^2+x-12 = 0
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document.write( "factoring
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document.write( " (x + 4)(x-3) = 0
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document.write( "  x = 3  throwing out negative solution for unit of measure
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document.write( "  x = 3ft, the shorter leg.  The longer leg is 4ft
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document.write( " AND
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document.write( " 3^2 + 4^2 = 5^3 \n" );
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