SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation: one leg of a right triangle is 3 cm more than half the length of the other eg. the area of the triangle is 54cm^2. how long are each of the legs

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this equation: one leg of a right triangle is 3 cm more than half the length of the other eg. the area of the triangle is 54cm^2. how long are each of the legs      Log On


   

Question 130619This question is from textbook
: Please help me solve this equation: one leg of a right triangle is 3 cm more than half the length of the other eg. the area of the triangle is 54cm^2. how long are each of the legs? This question is from textbook

Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x="other leg", so (x/2)+3="one leg"

since the legs of a right triangle are perpendicular
__ area=one half of the product of the legs

54=(1/2)(x)((x/2)+3) __ multiplying by 4 __ 216=x^2+6x __ subtracting 216 __ 0=x^2+6x-216

factoring 0=(x+18)(x-12) __ 0=x+18 and 0=x-12