SOLUTION: One leg of a right triangle is 4 millimeters longer than the smaller leg and the hypotenuse is 8 millimeters longer than the smaller leg. FIND the lengths of the sides of the trian

Algebra ->  Test -> SOLUTION: One leg of a right triangle is 4 millimeters longer than the smaller leg and the hypotenuse is 8 millimeters longer than the smaller leg. FIND the lengths of the sides of the trian      Log On


   

Question 1078202: One leg of a right triangle is 4 millimeters longer than the smaller leg and the hypotenuse is 8 millimeters longer than the smaller leg. FIND the lengths of the sides of the triangle. Break the steps down step by step thank you!
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the Pythagorean theorem,
A%5E2%2BB%5E2=C%5E2
x%5E2%2B%28x%2B4%29%5E2=%28x%2B8%29%5E2
x%5E2%2Bx%5E2%2B8x%2B16=x%5E2%2B16x%2B64
2x%5E2%2B8x%2B16=x%5E2%2B16x%2B64
x%5E2-8x-48=0
%28x-12%29%28x%2B4%29=0
Only positive solutions make sense here,
x-12=0
x=12
So the sides of the triangle are 12, 16, and 20mm.