document.write( "Question 893546: How to do the Pythagorean Theorem when your sides are x , 60 and x+12 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #541349 by josgarithmetic(39617) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Is x a positive number? If it is, then the longest side (hyptenuse) is either 60 units or x+12 units.
\n" ); document.write( "Use the Pythagorean Theorem both ways and solve each of them for x.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hypotenuse 60:
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2B%28x%2B12%29%5E2=60%5E2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2Bx%5E2%2B24x%2B144=3600\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"2x%5E2%2B24x-3600%2B144=0\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x%5E2%2B12x-1728=0\"$
\n" ); document.write( "Discriminant, $\"highlight_green%28144%2B4%2A1728=7056=84%5E2%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x=%28-12%2B84%29%2F2\"$
\n" ); document.write( " $\"highlight%28x=36%29\"$
\n" ); document.write( "-
\n" ); document.write( "Shortest leg is 36, next leg is 48, and the 60 is hypotenuse.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "You could try this again assuming x+12 is the hypotenuse, set up the Pythagorean Theorem
\n" ); document.write( "relationship, and see what happens, or if the solution works right.
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