SOLUTION: Find the length of the missing leg of a right triangle given a leg of length 8 and a hypotenuse of length 10. Leave your answer in simplest radical form. HELP!!!!

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Find the length of the missing leg of a right triangle given a leg of length 8 and a hypotenuse of length 10. Leave your answer in simplest radical form. HELP!!!!       Log On


   

Question 657321: Find the length of the missing leg of a right triangle given a leg of length 8 and a hypotenuse of length 10. Leave your answer in simplest radical form. HELP!!!!

Answer by colliefan(242) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Remember Pythagorean theorem: if a and b are the legs of a right triangle and c is the hypotenuse:
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2
8%5E2%2Bb%5E2=10%5E2
64%2Bb%5E2=100
64%2B-64%2Bb%5E2=100-64
0%2Bb%5E2=36
b%5E2=36
sqrt%28b%5E2%29=sqrt%2836%29
b=6
Substitute 6 back into the Pythagorean theorem to make sure it is a correct solution. The other leg has length 6.