SOLUTION: The leg of a right triangle is 8. The hypotenuse is 15. Find the length of the third side to the nearest tenth, if necessary

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: The leg of a right triangle is 8. The hypotenuse is 15. Find the length of the third side to the nearest tenth, if necessary      Log On


   

Question 797212: The leg of a right triangle is 8. The hypotenuse is 15. Find the length of the third side to the nearest tenth, if necessary
Answer by luke94(89) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
hi there, pythagoras's theorem is required however finding the length or shorter side means subtraction between the 2 lengths..
give variable 'a' the value of 8, and variable 'c' the value of 15.
b%5E2+=+c%5E2+-+a%5E2
b%5E2+=+15%5E2+-+8%5E2
b%5E2+=+225+-+64
b%5E2+=+161
b+=+sqrt%28161%29
b+=+12.688
therefore your length of the third side is 12.688, however as stated you wish for it to be to the nearest tenth it is 12.7
hope this helps