SOLUTION: A right triangle has a hypotenuse of length 25 and a leg of length 20. What is the length of the right leg? If necessary, round your answer to two decimal places.

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A right triangle has a hypotenuse of length 25 and a leg of length 20. What is the length of the right leg? If necessary, round your answer to two decimal places.      Log On


   

Question 612386: A right triangle has a hypotenuse of length 25 and a leg of length 20. What is the length of the right leg? If necessary, round your answer to two decimal places.
Answer by vleith(2983) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Use the Pythagorean theorem
a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2
20%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+25%5E2
400+%2B+b%5E2+=+625
b%5E2+=+625-400
b%5E2+=+225
b+=15

You will notice that the sides are in a ratio of 15:20:25
Which is 3:4:5
Any triangle in ratio 3:4:5 is a right triangle.
That comes up a lot, so you might want to memorize that.