SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is 10 cm long, and the other two sides are x cm and x-2 cm. Find the lenghts of these two sides

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is 10 cm long, and the other two sides are x cm and x-2 cm. Find the lenghts of these two sides      Log On


   

Question 274879: The hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is 10 cm long, and the other two sides are x cm and x-2 cm. Find the lenghts of these two sides
Answer by JBarnum(2146) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2 a=x b=x-2 c=10
x%5E2%2B%28x-2%29%5E2=10%5E2
x%5E2%2B%28x%5E2-4x%2B4%29=100
2x%5E2-4x-96=0
2%28x%5E2-2x-48%29=0
2%28x-8%29%28x%2B6%29=0
x-8=0,x=8
x+6=0,x=-6
highlight%28a=8%29 highlight%28b=6%29