SOLUTION: find the length of the shortest leg of a right triangle IF THE LONGER LEG IS 24 meters AND the hypotenuse is 6 more than twice the shortest leg

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: find the length of the shortest leg of a right triangle IF THE LONGER LEG IS 24 meters AND the hypotenuse is 6 more than twice the shortest leg       Log On


   

Question 909153: find the length of the shortest leg of a right triangle IF THE LONGER LEG IS 24 meters AND the hypotenuse is 6 more than twice the shortest leg


Answer by clearblueskai(22) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let a = shortest leg
b= longer leg
c = hypotenuse
a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2
b+=+24+
c+=+6+%2B+2a
a%5E2%2B%2824%29%5E2=%286%2B2a%29%5E2
a%5E2%2B576=36%2B24a%2B4a%5E2
-3a%5E2-24a%2B540=0
-3%28a%5E2%2B8a-180%29=0
-3%28a%2B18%29%28a-10%29=0
a=+-18 or a=10 = shortest+leg
%28-18%29%5E2%2B24%5E2=%286%2B2%28-18%29%29%5E2
900=900
10%5E2%2B24%5E2=%286%2B2%2810%29%29%5E2
676=676