SOLUTION: Here is my question: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15cm. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle if one side is 3 cm longer than the other. I came up with this

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Here is my question: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15cm. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle if one side is 3 cm longer than the other. I came up with this       Log On


   



Question 14701: Here is my question:
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15cm. Find the lengths of the sides of the triangle if one side is 3 cm longer than the other.
I came up with this formula: 15^2=x^2+(x+3)^2
Then I get x^2+x^2+6x+9 = 225
2x^2+6x+9 = 225

Then I am lost. Please help!

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You are doing fine so far.
2x%5E2+%2B+6x+%2B+9+=+225 Subtract 225 from both sides.
2x%5E2+%2B+6x+-+216+=+0 Factor a 2 just to make process a little easier.
2%28x%5E2+%2B+3x+-+108%29+=+0 Factor the parentheses.
2%28x+-+9%29%28x+%2B+12%29+=+0 Apply the zero products principle.
%28x+-+9%29+=+0 or x+%2B+12+=+0
If x - 9 = 0, then x = 9
If x + 12 = 0, then x = -12 Discard this solution as the length can't be negative.
The lengths of the sides are:
9 cm and 12 cm.
Check:
15%5E2+=+9%5E2+%2B+%289%2B3%29%5E2
225+=+81+%2B+144
225+=+225