SOLUTION: Hi, I have a right triangle with one side 17" longer than the other. The hypotenuse is 25". How long are the other two sides? I know the formula but I don't remember how to squar

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: Hi, I have a right triangle with one side 17" longer than the other. The hypotenuse is 25". How long are the other two sides? I know the formula but I don't remember how to squar      Log On


   

Question 30818: Hi,
I have a right triangle with one side 17" longer than the other. The hypotenuse is 25". How long are the other two sides? I know the formula but I don't remember how to square each side and then solve the problem. Thanks. Jo
Answer by Paul(988) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One side is longer than another so it is x+17
And the other side is x
In pythagoren theorem:

%28x%2B17%29%5E2%2Bx%5E2=25%5E2
2x%5E2%2B34x%2B289-625=0
2x%5E2%2B34x-336
x%5E2%2B17x-168
x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+
x+=+%28-17+%2B-+sqrt%28+17%5E2-4%2A1%2A-168+%29%29%2F%282%2A1%29+
You get two solutions remove the negative:
x = 7
7+17=24

Hence, the two sides are 7 and 24.
Paul.