SOLUTION: the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 inches , one of the legs is 5 inches more than the other. find the lengths of the two legs

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 inches , one of the legs is 5 inches more than the other. find the lengths of the two legs       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 100163: the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 inches , one of the legs is 5 inches more than the other. find the lengths of the two legs
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
by Pythagoras, x^2+(x+5)^2=25^2

x^2+x^2+10x+25=625 ... 2x^2+10x-600=0 ... x^2+5x-300=0

factoring gives (x+20)(x-15)=0 ... so x=-20 and x=15 ... negative value is not realistic

the sides are 15 and 20 ... a 3-4-5 triangle