SOLUTION: A lot is in the shape of a right triangle. The shorter leg measures 60 meters. The hypotenuse is 20 meters longer than the length of the longer leg. How long is the longer leg?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: A lot is in the shape of a right triangle. The shorter leg measures 60 meters. The hypotenuse is 20 meters longer than the length of the longer leg. How long is the longer leg?      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


    

Question 230014: A lot is in the shape of a right triangle. The shorter leg measures 60 meters. The hypotenuse is 20 meters longer than the length of the longer leg. How long is the longer leg?
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, scott8148:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A lot is in the shape of a right triangle. The shorter leg measures 60 meters. The hypotenuse is 20 meters longer than the length of the longer leg. How long is the longer leg?
---------
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
60^2 + b^2 = (b+20)^2
3600 + b^2 = b^2 + 40b + 400
3600 = 40b + 400
40b = 3200
b = 80 meters

Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let x="longer leg"; so x+20=hypotenuse

60^2 + x^2 = (x + 20)^2

x^2 + 3600 = x^2 + 40x + 400

3200 = 40x

80 = x