SOLUTION: A brace that is going to be shaped as a right triangle at a hypotenuse of 41 in. the longer leg of the brace is 31 in. more than the shorter leg. You need to dteremine the length o

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: A brace that is going to be shaped as a right triangle at a hypotenuse of 41 in. the longer leg of the brace is 31 in. more than the shorter leg. You need to dteremine the length o      Log On


   

Question 311257: A brace that is going to be shaped as a right triangle at a hypotenuse of 41 in. the longer leg of the brace is 31 in. more than the shorter leg. You need to dteremine the length of the 2 leds using a quadratic equation. then solve to find the area and perimeter and calculate the angled formed between the short leg and hypotenuse.
I was thinking I had to use a2+b2=c2 but when I do it the number dont come out perfect (meaning no decimals) and my teacher said it has to be perfect. I know that the short leg is going to be x and the long one is x+31.
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x^2 + (x+31)^2 = 41^2

2x^2 + 62x + 961 = 1681 ___ 2x^2 + 62x - 720 = 0 ___ x^2 + 31x - 360 = 0

factoring ___ (x + 40)(x - 9) = 0

x - 9 = 0 ___ x = 9