SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 triange is 12 centimeters long. Find the length of a leg.

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 triange is 12 centimeters long. Find the length of a leg.      Log On


   

Question 277242: The hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 triange is 12 centimeters long. Find the length of a leg.
Answer by dabanfield(803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 triange is 12 centimeters long. Find the length of a leg.
Let x be the length of the oommon leg. By the Pythagorean Theorem then we have:
x^2 + x^2 = 12^2
2x^2 = 144
x^2 = 72
x = sqrt(72)
x = sqrt(36*2)
x = sqrt(36)*sqrt(2)
x = 6*sqrt(2)