SOLUTION: The length of a hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10cm, one of the legs is 5cm long. Find the length of the other leg

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: The length of a hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10cm, one of the legs is 5cm long. Find the length of the other leg      Log On


   

Question 1034056: The length of a hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10cm, one of the legs is 5cm long. Find the length of the other leg
Found 2 solutions by fractalier, macston:
Answer by fractalier(6550) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We use the Pythagorean Theorem
a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2
and we are looking for side b...so
b%5E2+=+c%5E2+-+a%5E2+=+10%5E2+-+5%5E2+=+100+-+25+=+75
B+=+sqrt%2875%29+=+5%2Asqrt%283%29
or about 8.66 cm.

Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
a=one leg of right triangle=5cm; b=other leg of right triangle; c=hypotenuse of right triangle=10cm
.
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2
.
%285cm%29%5E2%2Bb%5E2=%2810cm%29%5E2}
.
25cm%5E2%2Bb%5E2=100cm%5E2
.
b%5E2=75cm%5E2
.
b=sqrt%2875cm%5E2%29
.
b=sqrt%28%2825%29%283%29%29cm
.
b=%285%29sqrt%283%29cm
.
ANSWER: The other leg is 5sqrt%283%29cm
.