SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 in longer than the longer leg. The shorter leg measures 2 in less than the longer leg. Find the measure of the longer leg of the triangle.

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 in longer than the longer leg. The shorter leg measures 2 in less than the longer leg. Find the measure of the longer leg of the triangle.      Log On


   

Question 1133980: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 in longer than the longer leg. The shorter leg measures 2 in less than the longer leg. Find the measure of the longer leg of the triangle.
Found 2 solutions by Glaviolette, josgarithmetic:
Answer by Glaviolette(140) About Me  (Show Source):
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
SIDES            NUMBER EXPRESSIONS
long leg         x
short leg        x-2
hypotenuse       x+2
equation        (x+2)^2=x^2+(x-2)^2

Simplify and solve: %28x%2B2%29%5E2=x%5E2%2B%28x-2%29%5E2.
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x%5E2%2B4x%2B4=x%5E2%2Bx%5E2-4x%2B4
4x=x%5E2-4x
x%5E2-8x=0
x%28x-8%29=0
highlight%28x=8%29-------------the LONGEST leg (not the hypotenuse)