<PRE><B>Question 173498</B>
Apply the Pythagorean theorem:
Let x = shorter leg
then
30 + 2x = hypotenuse
20 + 2x = longer leg
.
From Pythagorean we have:
(30 + 2x)^2 = x^2 + (20 + 2x)^2
900 + 120x + 4x^2 = x^2 + 400 + 80x + 4x^2
900 + 120x = x^2 + 400 + 80x
500 + 120x = x^2 + 80x
500 + 40x = x^2
0 = x^2 -40x + 500
0 = (x-50)(x+10)
.
x = {50, -10}
.
Throw out the negative solution leaving us with:
x = 50 yards (shorter leg)
.
hypotenuse:
30 + 2x = 30 + 2(50) = 130 yards
.
Longer leg:
20 + 2x = 20 + 2(50) = 120 yards
 </PRE>