SOLUTION: What is the answer to this question?... A= 15cm, B= 20cm? Im trying to figure out letter C.

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: What is the answer to this question?... A= 15cm, B= 20cm? Im trying to figure out letter C.      Log On


   

Question 610580: What is the answer to this question?... A= 15cm, B= 20cm? Im trying to figure out letter C.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

We basically have this triangle set up:





To find the unknown length, we need to use the Pythagorean Theorem.


Remember, the Pythagorean Theorem is a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2 where "a" and "b" are the legs of a triangle and "c" is the hypotenuse.


Since the legs are 15 and 20 this means that a=15 and b=20


Also, since the hypotenuse is x, this means that c=x.


a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2 Start with the Pythagorean theorem.


15%5E2%2B20%5E2=x%5E2 Plug in a=15, b=20, c=x


225%2B20%5E2=x%5E2 Square 15 to get 225.


225%2B400=x%5E2 Square 20 to get 400.


625=x%5E2 Combine like terms.


x%5E2=625 Rearrange the equation.


x=sqrt%28625%29 Take the square root of both sides. Note: only the positive square root is considered (since a negative length doesn't make sense).


x=25 Simplify the square root.


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Answer:


So the solution is x=25.

This means that C = 25
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