SOLUTION: The shortest leg of a triangle is 17 inches shorter than the other leg. The hypotenuse of this triangle is 25 inches. What are the lengths of the two legs of this triangle?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: The shortest leg of a triangle is 17 inches shorter than the other leg. The hypotenuse of this triangle is 25 inches. What are the lengths of the two legs of this triangle?       Log On


   

Question 1103189: The shortest leg of a triangle is 17 inches shorter than the other leg. The hypotenuse of this triangle is 25 inches. What are the lengths of the two legs of this triangle?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%28L-17%29%5E2%2BL%5E2=25%5E2
L%5E2-34L%2B289%2BL%5E2=625
2L%5E2-34L-336=0
L%5E2-17L-168=0
%28L-24%29%28L%2B7%29=0
Two solutions but only one is positive.
L-24=0
L=24