SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem. The hypotenuse of a given right triangle is 6 cm longer than the shorter leg. The length of the shorter leg is 2 cm less than that of the

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem. The hypotenuse of a given right triangle is 6 cm longer than the shorter leg. The length of the shorter leg is 2 cm less than that of the       Log On


   

Question 98133: Please help me solve this word problem.
The hypotenuse of a given right triangle is 6 cm longer than the
shorter leg. The length of the shorter leg is 2 cm less than that of the longer leg. Find the lengths of the three sides.
Thank you
Answer by edjones(8007) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
c=hypotenuse
b=shorter leg
a=longer leg
%28b%2B2%29%5E2%2Bb%5E2=%28b%2B6%29%5E2
b%5E2%2B4b%2B4%2Bb%5E2=b%5E2%2B12b%2B36 subtract the left from the right. 0=-b%5E2%2B8b%2B32
multiply -1 times both sides b%5E2-8b-32=0
quadratic formula: b=10.928... (b=-2.928... is extraneous)
a=b+2=12.928...
c=b+6=16.928...
Ed