SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6 more than the shorter leg. The longer leg is three more than the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg

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Question 1008952: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6 more than the shorter leg. The longer leg is three more than the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg
Answer by macston(5194) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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A=shorter leg; B=longer leg=A+3; C=hypotenuse=A+6
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A%5E2%2BB%5E2=C%5E2
A%5E2%2B%28A%2B3%29%5E2=%28A%2B6%29%5E2
A%5E2%2B%28A%5E2%2B6A%2B9%29=A%5E2%2B12A%2B36
A%5E2-6A-27=0
%28A%2B3%29%28A-9%29=0
A%2B3=0 OR A-9=0
A=-3 OR A=9
ANSWER: The length of the shorter leg is 9.
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CHECK:
A=9; B=A+3=9+3=12; C=A+6=9+6=15
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A%5E2%2BB%5E2=C%5E2
9%5E2%2B12%5E2=15%5E2
81%2B144=225
225=225