SOLUTION: One leg of a right triangle is four inches longer than the other side. The hypotenuse is 20 inches. Find the length of each leg of the triangle. Draw a picture and write an equatio

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Question 842158: One leg of a right triangle is four inches longer than the other side. The hypotenuse is 20 inches. Find the length of each leg of the triangle. Draw a picture and write an equation.
Found 2 solutions by richwmiller, ewatrrr:
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
20^2=x^2+(x+4)^2
x = 12
x+4=16

Answer by ewatrrr(24785) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Hi,

One leg of a right triangle is four inches longer than the other side.
b = .
The hypotenuse. is 20 inches.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a + (a+4)^2 = 400in^2
a^2 + a^2 + 8a + 64 = 400
2a^2 + 8a - 336 = 0
a^2 + 4a - 168 = 0
(a + 14)(a-12) = 0 , a = 12in, shorter leg ( throwing out negative solution for unit measure)
longer leg is 16in
CHECKING our answer***
12^2 + 16^2 = 144in^2 + 256in^2 = 400in^2
Wish You the Best in your Studies.