Question 149986
All three questions relates to the application of Pythagorean theorem -- given a "right triangle" (a triangle where ONE of the three internal angles measures 90 degrees) the side "opposite" the 90 deg internal angle is the "hypothenuse".
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hypontenuse^2 = side_a^2 + side_b^2
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Find the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs measuring 5.2 cm and 7.8 cm respectively. Round your answer to the nearest tenth of a centimeter.
hypotenuse = sqrt(5.2^2 + 7.8^2)
hypotenuse = sqrt(27.04 + 60.84)
hypotenuse = sqrt(87.88)
hypotenuse = 9.4 cm
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Sam hiked 48 miles directly east and then 36 miles directly south. Find the shortest distance in miles from the point where he ended up to his starting point.
hypotenuse = sqrt(48^2 + 36^2)
hypotenuse = sqrt(2304 + 1296)
hypotenuse = sqrt(3600)
hypotenuse = 60 miles
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The screen on Jeff's computer monitor has a length of 15.2 and a width of 11.5 in. Find the measure of the diagonal for Jeff's monitor. 
hypotenuse = sqrt(15.2^2 + 11.5^2)
hypotenuse = sqrt(231.04 + 132.25)
hypotenuse = sqrt(363.29)
hypotenuse = 19.1 inches