SOLUTION: The shorter leg of a right triangle is 20 yards. If the hypotenuse is 29 yards, how long is the other leg?

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Question 225995: The shorter leg of a right triangle is 20 yards. If the hypotenuse is 29 yards, how long is the other leg?
Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The shorter leg of a right triangle is 20 yards. If the hypotenuse is 29 yards, how long is the other leg?

Step 1. Use the Pythagorean Theorem which states that the sum of the squares of the legs (given legs a and) is equal to the square of the hypotenuse c.

a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2

Step 2. Let a=20 and c=29, we can find the other leg b as follows

20%5E2%2Bb%5E2=29%5E2

Subtract 20%5E2 from both sides of the equation

b%5E2=29%5E2-20%5E2=841-400

b%5E2=441

Take the square root of b to both sides of the equation

b=sqrt%28441%29=21

Step 3. ANSWER. The length of the other leg is 21 yards.

I hope the above steps were helpful.

For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

And good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J

drjctu@gmail.com

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