SOLUTION: The shorter leg of a right triangle is 8 meters. The hypotenuse is 2meters longer than the longer leg. Find the length of the longer leg

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: The shorter leg of a right triangle is 8 meters. The hypotenuse is 2meters longer than the longer leg. Find the length of the longer leg      Log On


   

Question 920691: The shorter leg of a right triangle is 8 meters. The hypotenuse is 2meters longer than the longer leg. Find the
length of the longer leg
Answer by KMST(5328) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x= length of the longer leg, in meters.
x%2B2= length of the hypotenuse, in meters.
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that
8%5E2%2Bx%5E2=%28x%2B2%29%5E2
So,
64%2Bx%5E2=x%5E2%2B4x%2B4
64=4x%2B4
64-4=4x
60=4x
60%2F4=x
highlight%28x=15%29