SOLUTION: If you have a right triangle , and the smallest side is 60 meters, the hypotenuse is 20 meters longer then the longest leg how do you find the length of the longest leg?

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: If you have a right triangle , and the smallest side is 60 meters, the hypotenuse is 20 meters longer then the longest leg how do you find the length of the longest leg?       Log On


   

Question 332393: If you have a right triangle , and the smallest side is 60 meters, the hypotenuse is 20 meters longer then the longest leg how do you find the length of the longest leg?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Let represent the measure of the long leg, and let be the measure of the hypotenuse.

Pythagoras says:



But we also know that



so:




Just solve for

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it