SOLUTION: In a right triangle, find the length of the side not given. b = 2, c = square root of 13. I got as far as {{{a^2+4=sqrt( 13 ) }}} Where do I go from here?

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: In a right triangle, find the length of the side not given. b = 2, c = square root of 13. I got as far as {{{a^2+4=sqrt( 13 ) }}} Where do I go from here?      Log On


   

Question 197399: In a right triangle, find the length of the side not given.
b = 2, c = square root of 13.
I got as far as a%5E2%2B4=sqrt%28+13+%29+
Where do I go from here?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In a right triangle, if the length of side b = 2 and the length of sidec+=+sqrt%2813%29, find the length of side a.
Using c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2 you get:
%28sqrt%2813%29%29%5E2+=+a%5E2%2B%282%29%5E2 Simplifying...
13+=+a%5E2%2B4 Subtract 4 from both sides.
9+=+a%5E2 Take the square root of both sides.
3+=+a
The answer is a = 3