SOLUTION: How to do the Pythagorean Theorem when your sides are x , 60 and x+12

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Question 893546: How to do the Pythagorean Theorem when your sides are x , 60 and x+12
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Is x a positive number? If it is, then the longest side (hyptenuse) is either 60 units or x+12 units.
Use the Pythagorean Theorem both ways and solve each of them for x.

Hypotenuse 60:
x%5E2%2B%28x%2B12%29%5E2=60%5E2
x%5E2%2Bx%5E2%2B24x%2B144=3600
2x%5E2%2B24x-3600%2B144=0
x%5E2%2B12x-1728=0
Discriminant, highlight_green%28144%2B4%2A1728=7056=84%5E2%29
x=%28-12%2B84%29%2F2
highlight%28x=36%29
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Shortest leg is 36, next leg is 48, and the 60 is hypotenuse.

You could try this again assuming x+12 is the hypotenuse, set up the Pythagorean Theorem
relationship, and see what happens, or if the solution works right.