SOLUTION: What is the length of ab if ab=bc and the hypotenuse equals 7 times the square root of 2.

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: What is the length of ab if ab=bc and the hypotenuse equals 7 times the square root of 2.      Log On


   

Question 891565: What is the length of ab if ab=bc and the hypotenuse equals 7 times the square root of 2.
Answer by JulietG(1812) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ab and bc are the sides of the right triangle.
You're given the hypotenuse as 7*sqrt2
a%5E2 + b%5E2=c%5E2
Since the sides are the same...
2a%5E2=c%5E2
Let's square the hypotenuse
(7*sqrt2)^2 = 49*2, or 98
2a%5E2=98
Divide each side by 2
a%5E2=49
Take the square root of each side
a = 7
The sides are 7 and 7, and the hypotenuse is sqrt of 98 which is approximately 9.9 (9.8994949...)