SOLUTION: How do you solve the pythagorean theorem if you have 2 variables?? for instance: side a=10, side b=x-2 and side c=x. What do I do??

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Question 453214: How do you solve the pythagorean theorem if you have 2 variables?? for instance: side a=10, side b=x-2 and side c=x. What do I do??
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, stanbon:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2


10%5E2%2B%28x-2%29%5E2=x%5E2


100%2Bx%5E2-4x%2B4=x%5E2


100%2Bx%5E2-4x%2B4-x%5E2=0


104-4x=0


-4x=0-104


-4x=-104


x=%28-104%29%2F%28-4%29


x=26


So the solution is x=26


So b = 26-2 = 24 and c = 26

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
How do you solve the pythagorean theorem if you have 2 variables??
for instance: side a=10, side b=x-2 and side c=x.
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Formula: hypotenuse^2 = leg1 ^2 + leg 2 ^2
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If you assume the hypotenuse = c = x you get the following:
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x^2 = 10^2 + (x-2)^2
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x^2 = 10^2 + x^2-4x+4
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-4x + 104 = 0
-x + 26 = x = 26 (side c; the hypotenuse)
x-2 = 24 (side b)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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