document.write( "Question 842158: One leg of a right triangle is four inches longer than the other side. The hypotenuse is 20 inches. Find the length of each leg of the triangle. Draw a picture and write an equation. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #507406 by ewatrrr(24785) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

 
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document.write( "Hi,
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document.write( "One leg of a right triangle is four inches longer than the other side.
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document.write( " b =  .
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document.write( "The hypotenuse.  is 20 inches.
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document.write( "Using the Pythagorean Theorem
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document.write( " a^2 + b^2 = c^2
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document.write( " a + (a+4)^2 = 400in^2
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document.write( " a^2 + a^2 + 8a + 64 = 400
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document.write( " 2a^2 + 8a - 336 = 0
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document.write( "  a^2 + 4a - 168 = 0
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document.write( "(a + 14)(a-12) = 0 , a = 12in, shorter leg   ( throwing out negative solution for unit measure)
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document.write( "longer leg is 16in
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document.write( "CHECKING our answer***
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document.write( " 12^2 + 16^2 = 144in^2 + 256in^2 = 400in^2
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document.write( "Wish You the Best in your Studies.\r
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