SOLUTION: Calculate the missing length in the following triangle. the triangle and a right triangle, the first dimension measures 6cm and the second dimension measures 8cm, how do I find

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Calculate the missing length in the following triangle. the triangle and a right triangle, the first dimension measures 6cm and the second dimension measures 8cm, how do I find      Log On


   

Question 1175212: Calculate the missing length in the following triangle.
the triangle and a right triangle, the first dimension measures 6cm and the second dimension measures 8cm, how do I find the last dimension
Found 3 solutions by ewatrrr, MathLover1, ikleyn:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Hi
Right Triangle: IF the 6cm and 8cm are the two legs of the Right Triangle:
  6^2 + 8^2 = hypotenuse^2
  36 + 64 = 100
 The hypotenuse = 10
 
Wish You the Best in your Studies.


Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

given:
a right triangle -> so, use Pythagorean theorem c%5E2=a%5E2%2Bb%5E2
let the first dimension be a, the second dimension be b, and the third dimension be c
if the first dimension measures a=6cm and the second dimension measures b=8cm, then the third dimension will be
c%5E2=%286cm%29%5E2%2B%288cm%29%5E2
c%5E2=36cm%5E2%2B64cm%5E2
c%5E2=100cm%5E2
c=sqrt%28100cm%5E2%29
c=10cm

so, the last dimension measures 10cm


Answer by ikleyn(52846) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

            The solutions from both ladies are incomplete and therefore  INCORRECT.

            The correct solution is below. 


With the given data, the solution can be obtained for right triangle ONLY.

There are two possibilities.



(1)  The given sides are two legs.


     Then the third side, the hypotenuse, is  sqrt%286%5E2+%2B+8%5E2%29 = sqrt%28100%29 = 10 cm.



(2)  The longer side is the hypotenuse; the other side is one of the two legs.


     Then the other leg is  sqrt%288%5E2+-+6%5E2%29 = sqrt%2828%29 = 2%2Asqrt%287%29 cm = 5.292 cm  (rounded).

Solved (correctly).