SOLUTION: find the length of the missing side of the right angled triangle. a=12; c = 20

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Question 150621: find the length of the missing side of the right angled triangle. a=12; c = 20
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the length of the missing side of the right triangle in which a = 12 and c = 20
Assuming that you are using the conventional lettering for the sides of a right triangle in which the hypotenuse is labeled c, then you can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the missing side, b.
c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2 Solve this for b.
b%5E2+=+c%5E2-a%5E2 Take the square root of both sides.
b+=+sqrt%28c%5E2-a%5E2%29 Substitute a = 12 and c = 20.
b+=+sqrt%2820%5E2-12%5E2%29 Simplify.
b+=+sqrt%28400-144%29
b+=+sqrt%28256%29
b+=+16