SOLUTION: b=1,c=sqrt17 find the length of the third side of a right triangle.I am not sure how to go about finding the answer to this.

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Question 330771: b=1,c=sqrt17 find the length of the third side of a right triangle.I am not sure how to go about finding the answer to this.
Answer by neatmath(302) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

When dealing with right triangles, we will definitely make use of the Pythagorean Theorem!

a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2 where c is the hypotenuse of the triangle, and a and b are the shorter legs of the triangle.

So we have three sides, they are:

a=unknown, b=1, and c=sqrt%2817%29

We will plug these values into the Pythagorean Theorem and solve for a:

a%5E2%2B%281%29%5E2=%28sqrt%2817%29%29%5E2

a%5E2%2B1=17

a%5E2=16

a=4

I hope this helps!