SOLUTION: 4. the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5m long.One leg is 1m longer than the other. Find the lengths of the legs.(SET UP AND SOLVE) My teacher is so complicated...I don't even

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: 4. the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5m long.One leg is 1m longer than the other. Find the lengths of the legs.(SET UP AND SOLVE) My teacher is so complicated...I don't even      Log On


   

Question 187811: 4. the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5m long.One leg is 1m longer than the other. Find the lengths of the legs.(SET UP AND SOLVE)
My teacher is so complicated...I don't even know where to start with this.
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5m long.One leg is 1m longer than the other. Find the lengths of the legs.(SET UP AND SOLVE)
My teacher is so complicated...I don't even know where to start with this.
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It's the world famous 3-4-5 right triangle.
To solve it, tho, use the Pythagorean Theorem.
c%5E2+=+a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2 where c is the hypotenuse.
25+=+a%5E2+%2B+%28a%2B1%29%5E2 See that? 5^2 = 25
a%5E2+%2B+a%5E2%2B2a%2B1+=+25
2a%5E2+%2B+2a+-+24+=+0
a%5E2+%2B+a+-+12+=+0
(a+4)*(a-3) = 0
a = 3 Ignore the -4
b = a+1 = 4
The legs are 3 and 4