Question 659679: A flower garden is in the shape of a right triangle. The longest side of the triangle is 13m. One of the
shorter sides (legs) is 7 m longer than the other. Find the length of the two sides.
I know the answers, I just need to know how to show my work.
Answer by ReadingBoosters(3246)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Using Pythagorean Theorem, plug in a, b and c
a^2 + (7+a)^2 = c^2
a^2 + (7+a)(7+a) = c^2
a^2 + a^2 + 7a + 7a + 49 = 13^2
Combine like terms
2a^2 + 14a + 49 = 169
2a^2 + 14a + 49 - 169 = 169 - 169
2a^2 + 14 - 120 = 0
2(a^2 + 7 - 60) = 0
2(a-5)(a+12)=0
2(a-5)(a+12)/2=0/2
a - 5 = 0; a = 5
a +12 = 0; a = -12
so, a =5, b = 12 and c = 13
Proof
5^2 + 12^2 = 13^2
25 + 144 = 169
13^2 = 169
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