SOLUTION: The flower garden has the shape of a right triangle. 34 ft of a perennial border forms the hypotenuse of the triangle, and one leg is 14ft longer than the other leg. Find the lengh

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: The flower garden has the shape of a right triangle. 34 ft of a perennial border forms the hypotenuse of the triangle, and one leg is 14ft longer than the other leg. Find the lengh      Log On


   

Question 394754: The flower garden has the shape of a right triangle. 34 ft of a perennial border forms the hypotenuse of the triangle, and one leg is 14ft longer than the other leg. Find the lenghts of the leg.
What are the lenghts of the legs? (use a comma to separate answers as needed)
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Hi

one leg is 14ft longer than the other leg

Let x and (x+14) represent the lengths of the legs

Applying the Pytahgorean Theore,

x^2 + (x+14ft)^2 = (34ft)^2

solving for x

   2x^2 + 28x + 196 = 1156

   2x^2 + 28x - 960 =  0

   x^2 + 14z - 480 = 0

x+=+%28-14+%2B-+sqrt%282116%29%29%2F%282%29+=+%28-14+%2B-+46%29%2F%282%29+ 

 x = -30 and x = 16  |tossing out negative solution:  x = 16

the lengths of the leg are 16ft and 30ft   (16ft + 14ft)