SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6 feet long. One leg is 1 foot shorter than the other. Find the length of the legs. Round to the nearest tenth of a foot

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6 feet long. One leg is 1 foot shorter than the other. Find the length of the legs. Round to the nearest tenth of a foot      Log On


   

Question 702813: The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 6 feet long. One leg is 1 foot shorter than the other. Find the length of the legs. Round to the nearest tenth of a foot
Answer by josgarithmetic(39630) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One leg: a-1,
Other leg: a

Hypotenuse is 6.

%28a-1%29%5E2%2Ba%5E2=6%5E2
.
.
2%2Aa%5E2%2B2%2Aa-35=0

a=%28-2%2B-+sqrt%284-4%2A2%2A%28-35%29%29%29%2F%282%2A2%29
You will want the "Plus" option.