SOLUTION: In a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches and the length of one leg is 15 inches. What is the length of the other leg in inches? A. 5√ 7 B. 2

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: In a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches and the length of one leg is 15 inches. What is the length of the other leg in inches? A. 5√ 7 B. 2      Log On


   

Question 944811: In a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches and the length of one leg is 15 inches. What is the length of the other leg in inches?
A. 5√ 7
B. 25
C. 5
D. √ 7


Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
use Pythagorean theorem: c%5E2=a%5E2%2Bb%5E2


if in a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is c=20in and the length of one leg is a=15in, then
the length of the other leg b is:
%2820in%29%5E2=%2815in%29%5E2%2Bb%5E2
400in%5E2-225in%5E2=b%5E2
175in%5E2=b%5E2
b=sqrt%28175in%5E2%29
b=sqrt%2825%2A7%29in
b=5%2Asqrt%287%29in

so, your answer is:A. 5√ 7