SOLUTION: If the longer leg of a right triangle is 1 cm longer than the shorter leg and the hypotenuse is 5 cm then what are the lengths of the legs?

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: If the longer leg of a right triangle is 1 cm longer than the shorter leg and the hypotenuse is 5 cm then what are the lengths of the legs?      Log On


   

Question 326843: If the longer leg of a right triangle is 1 cm longer than the shorter leg and the hypotenuse is 5 cm then what are the lengths of the legs?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let A and B be the legs.
B=A%2B1
H=5
Since it's a right triangle, use the Pythagorean theorem,
A%5E2%2BB%5E2=H%5E2
A%5E2%2B%28A%2B1%29%5E2=5%5E2
A%5E2%2BA%5E2%2B2A%2B1=25
2A%5E2%2B2A-24=0
A%5E2%2BA-12=0
%28A%2B4%29%28A-3%29=0
Only the positive solution makes sense for this problem,
A-3=0
highlight%28A=3%29
.
.
highlight%28B=4%29