SOLUTION: A right triangle has a leg that is 11 m and a hypotenuse that is 15 m. Find the other leg's length. Write your answer in simplest radical form.

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: A right triangle has a leg that is 11 m and a hypotenuse that is 15 m. Find the other leg's length. Write your answer in simplest radical form.      Log On


   



Question 757378: A right triangle has a leg that is 11 m and a hypotenuse that is 15 m. Find the other leg's length. Write your answer in simplest radical form.
Answer by LearnWithMajor(33) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
For a right triangle we can use the pythagorean theorem to solve for a missing side.
a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2
we are told that c(the hypotenuse) is 15 and one of the legs (a or b) is 11
a%5E2+%2B+11%5E2+=+15%5E2
a%5E2+=+15%5E2+-+11%5E2
sqrt%28a%5E2%29+=+sqrt%2815%5E2+-+11%5E2%29
a+=+sqrt%28225+-+121%29
a+=+sqrt%28104%29 = a+=+sqrt%284%29%2Asqrt%2826%29
+a+=+2sqrt%2826%29