document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=999740>Question 999740</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A rectangular block stands 12 inches tall with a diagonal measuring 13 inches. What is is the length of the base? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #617294 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=addingup><B>addingup(3677)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=addingup><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/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=addingup><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=617294\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A rectangle split diagonally gives you two right triangles.<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Pythagoras:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2+b^2= c^2 This is used to find the hypotenuse of the right triangle. Since we want the short side, let's divide both sides by b^2:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2= c^2/b^2 Now let's use our numbers:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2= 13^2/12^2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2= 169/144<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a^2= 25 Take the square root on both sides:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a= 5 is the length of the base </SPAN>\n" );
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