SOLUTION: the lengths of the sides of a right triangle are x, x+4 and x +8 inches. What is the value of x? What is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle?

Algebra ->  Exponential-and-logarithmic-functions -> SOLUTION: the lengths of the sides of a right triangle are x, x+4 and x +8 inches. What is the value of x? What is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle?       Log On


   

Question 815674: the lengths of the sides of a right triangle are x, x+4 and x +8 inches. What is the value of x? What is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39623) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The hypotenuse of a right triangle would be the longest side, so use pythagorean theorem this way: x%5E2%2B%28x%2B4%29%5E2=%28x%2B8%29%5E2.

x%5E2%2Bx%5E2%2B8x%2B16=x%5E2%2B16x%2B64
x%5E2%2B8x%2B16=16x%2B64
x%5E2%2B8x=16x%2B48
x%5E2=8x%2B48
x%5E2-8x-48=0 FACTORABLE!
%28x+-12%29%28x+%2B+4%29=0

The positive number solution will make sense.
ANSWER: x=12.