SOLUTION: if one side of a right triangle equal one foot and the hypotenuse equal 15inches, then what is the lengh of the other leg in inches?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: if one side of a right triangle equal one foot and the hypotenuse equal 15inches, then what is the lengh of the other leg in inches?      Log On


   

Question 586263: if one side of a right triangle equal one foot and the hypotenuse equal 15inches, then what is the lengh of the other leg in inches?
Found 3 solutions by zoomkaboom4, Alan3354, kevwill:
Answer by zoomkaboom4(62) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
if one side of a right triangle equal one foot and the hypotenuse equal 15inches, then what is the lengh of the other leg in inches?
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a%5E2+=+15%5E2+-+12%5E2+=+81
a = 9 inches

Answer by kevwill(135) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Actually, the answer is 9 inches.
The Pythagorean Theorem tells us that for a right triangle with sides of length a and b hypotenuse of length c, a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2
We're given one side (one foot = 12 inches) and the hypotenuse (15 inches). So plugging these values into the Pythagorean Theorem gives:
12%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+15%5E2
144+%2B+b%5E2+=+225
144+%2B+b%5E2+-+144+=+225+-+144
b%5E2+=+81
b+=+9
The other side of the right triangle is 9 inches.