SOLUTION: a triangle has two shorter sides that differ in length by 2cm. the length of the hypotinuse is 4cm more than the shortest side. what are the lengths of the three sides
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Question 555898: a triangle has two shorter sides that differ in length by 2cm. the length of the hypotinuse is 4cm more than the shortest side. what are the lengths of the three sides Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source):
The first thing you need to do is be a little more precise in your language. This problem only works if your triangle is a right triangle. The long side of a right triangle is a hypotenuse, not a "hypotinuse".
Let represent the measure of the short leg. Then must represent the measure of the longer leg and must represent the measure of the hypotenuse.
The square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides, so:
A little algebra music, Maestro: (verification of the next step is an exercise for the student)
Solve the quadratic (Hint: it factors) for the positive root.
John
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
