SOLUTION: A right triangle has one leg that is three times as long as the other leg the height of the hypotenuse is Root 40 inches find the length of the legs

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A right triangle has one leg that is three times as long as the other leg the height of the hypotenuse is Root 40 inches find the length of the legs      Log On


   

Question 1029281: A right triangle has one leg that is three times as long as the other leg the height of the hypotenuse is Root 40 inches find the length of the legs
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I assume you mean the length of the hypotenuse is sqrt%2840%29.
Using the Pythagorean theorem,
x%5E2%2B%283x%29%5E2=%28sqrt%2840%29%29%5E2
x%5E2%2B9x%5E2=40
10x%5E2=40
x%5E2=4
x=2
So then the legs are 2 and 6 inches.