SOLUTION: A right triangle has a hypotenuse length of 12, and one side length of 9. Find the missing side length. Do the side lengths form a Pythagorean triple?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A right triangle has a hypotenuse length of 12, and one side length of 9. Find the missing side length. Do the side lengths form a Pythagorean triple?      Log On


   

Question 823325: A right triangle has a hypotenuse length of 12, and one side length of 9. Find the missing side length. Do the side lengths form a Pythagorean triple?
Found 3 solutions by Alan3354, erica65404, stanbon:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A right triangle has a hypotenuse length of 12, and one side length of 9. Find the missing side length. Do the side lengths form a Pythagorean triple?
------------------
Use the Pythagoream Theorem, then you'll know.

Answer by erica65404(394) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We will use a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2
9%5E2%2Bb%5E2=12%5E2
b%5E2=63
b=+sqrt%2863%29
b=+3%2Asqrt%287%29
This is not a Pythagorean triple. An example is 3 4 5 where 5 is the hypotenuse. The length we found is not a positive whole number. It is a decimal so we know it can't be a triple.

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A right triangle has a hypotenuse length of 12, and one side length of 9. Find the missing side length. Do the side lengths form a Pythagorean triple?
--------
Pythagoras only refers to Pythagorean triples.
--------
Let the missing side be "x":
x^2 + 9^2 = 12^2
x^2 = 144-81
x^2 = 63
x = 3sqrt(7)
-----
Cheers,
Stan H.
------------