SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and the longer leg is 8 feet more than twice the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the three sides

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and the longer leg is 8 feet more than twice the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the three sides      Log On


   

Question 259291: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg and the longer leg is 8 feet more than twice the shorter leg. Find the lengths of the three sides of the triangle.
How do I do this? I know a^2+b^2=c^2.
and
3x-8 =shorter
8+2x =longer
Am I setting this up correctly?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You're close.
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2
The hypotenuse is c.
Let "a" be the shorter leg and let "b" be the longer leg
.
.
.
"hypotenuse is 8 feet less than three times the shorter leg "
c=3a-8
"longer"
b=2a%2B8
Now you can substitute into the top equation and solve for "a".
Re-post if you get stuck.