SOLUTION: Find the length of the third side of the right triangle. Give an exact answer and an approximation to three decimal places. leg a = 27 hypotenuse = 30 leg b =

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: Find the length of the third side of the right triangle. Give an exact answer and an approximation to three decimal places. leg a = 27 hypotenuse = 30 leg b =       Log On


   



Question 171995This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra
: Find the length of the third side of the right triangle. Give an exact answer and an approximation to three decimal places.
leg a = 27
hypotenuse = 30
leg b =
This question is from textbook Introductory Algebra

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, KnightOwlTutor:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the length of the third side of the right triangle. Give an exact answer and an approximation to three decimal places.
leg a = 27
hypotenuse = 30
leg b =
----------------------
b^2 = 30^2 - 27^2
b^2 = 900 - 729 = 171
b = sqrt(171)
b =~ 13.077

Answer by KnightOwlTutor(293) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the Pythagorean theorem
a^2+b^2=c^2
27^2+b^2=30^2
729+b^2=900
Subtract 729 from both sides
b^2=171
take the square root of both sides
13.0766
13.077