SOLUTION: use the pythagorean theory to determine the value of x and the measurments of each side of the right triangle. one side:5x second side: x+8 thrid side: 5x-4 solve for x

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: use the pythagorean theory to determine the value of x and the measurments of each side of the right triangle. one side:5x second side: x+8 thrid side: 5x-4 solve for x      Log On


   

Question 957112: use the pythagorean theory to determine the value of x and the measurments of each side of the right triangle.
one side:5x
second side: x+8
thrid side: 5x-4
solve for x
Found 2 solutions by CubeyThePenguin, MathTherapy:
Answer by CubeyThePenguin(3113) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'm assuming the third side is the hypotenuse.

(5x)^2 + (x + 8)^2 = (5x - 4)^2
25x^2 + x^2 + 16x + 64 = 25x^2 - 40x + 16
x^2 + 16x + 64 = -40x + 16
x^2 + 56x + 48 = 0

Use the quadratic formula to find x.

Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

use the pythagorean theory to determine the value of x and the measurments of each side of the right triangle.
one side:5x
second side: x+8
thrid side: 5x-4
solve for x
You need to state which expression represents the longest side. However, contrary to the other person's belief, 5x - 4 CANNOT

be the longest side/hypotenuse since 5x is CLEARLY larger than 5x - 4. 

This right triangle's sides appear to have an x-value of 4 or 20. If 4, it's a 3-4-5 TIMES 4 Pythagorean triple. With an

x-value of 20, however, it's a 7-24-25 TIMES 4, Pythagorean triple.