SOLUTION: #3. 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. Do not use “tri

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: #3. 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. Do not use “tri      Log On

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Question 703830: #3. 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. Do not use “trial and error” or guess method to solve this problem.

-b+- sqrt(b^2- 4ac)
X = 2a

ax^2 + bx + c = 0
(y-1)^2 + y^2 = 6^2
y^2 - 2y +1 + 1y^2 = 36
2y^2 - 2y – 35 = 0
2 +- sqrt(( -2)^2 -4(2)(-35))
2(2)
2 +- sqrt((4 )+280)
4
2 +- sqrt(284)
4
2 +- sqrt(284)
4 4
I can disregard the negative therefore
2 + sqrt 284
2*2 2*2
1 + sqrt 71 * sqrt 4
2 2*2
1 + sqrt 71*2
2 2*2
1 + sqrt71
2 Did I solve this correctly?
Answer by Simnepi(216) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
looks alright to me! well done!