SOLUTION: A triangle has a side of length x . The second side of the triangle is 2 inches longer than the first side. The third side is 4 inches longer than the first side. The square of

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Question 342410: A triangle has a side of length x . The second side of the triangle is 2 inches longer than the first side. The third side is 4 inches longer than the first side. The square of the first side plus the square of the second side is equal to the square of the third side. What is the length if each side of the triangle? Use the 5-Step method.

This is how much I've figured out so far:
1.x= side one
x+2= second side
x+4= third side
Please help me, I'm stuck!!!!
Thank you. :)
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, MathTherapy:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hint: "The square of the first side plus the square of the second side is equal to the square of the third side" means that x%5E2%2B%28x%2B2%29%5E2=%28x%2B4%29%5E2


If you need more help, email me at jim_thompson5910@hotmail.com

Also, feel free to check out my tutoring website

Jim

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A triangle has a side of length x. The second side of the triangle is 2 inches longer than the first side. The third side is 4 inches longer than the first side. The square of the first side plus the square of the second side is equal to the square of the third side. What is the length if each side of the triangle? Use the 5-Step method.

I don't think I'm familiar with the 5-step method, or I may very well know it by another name.

Anyway, the 1st side, x has the shortest length
Second side = x + 2
Third side = x + 4

Since it's given that the square of the first side plus the square of the second side is equal to the square of the third side, we can then say that:

x%5E2+%2B+%28x+%2B+2%29%5E2+=+%28x+%2B+4%29%5E2

x%5E2+%2B+x%5E2+%2B+4x+%2B+4+=+x%5E2+%2B+8x+%2B+16_____Expanding the equation

2x%5E2+%2B+4x+%2B+4+=+x%5E2+%2B+8x+%2B+16

x%5E2+-+4x+-+12

(x - 6)(x + 2)______Factoring the trinomial

x - 6 = 0 or x + 2 = 0

x = 6 or - 2

Since a measurement CANNOT be negative, we ignore the - 2 value of x. Therefore, x = 6

This means that the 1st side, or x = highlight_green%286%29
This means that the 2nd side, or x + 2 = highlight_green%288%29
This means that the 3rd side, or x + 4 = highlight_green%2810%29