<PRE><B>Question 185254</B>
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 24 ft long. The length of one leg is 18 ft more than the other. Find the length of the legs. The length of the shorter leg is approximately ___________ft. 


We use the Pythagorean Theorem.

(leg)^2 + (leg)^2 = (hyp)^2

(x)^2 + (x + 18)^2 = (24)^2

x^2 + x^2 + 36x + 324 = 576

2x^2 + 36x + 324 - 576 = 0

2x^2 + 36x - 252 = 0

We can make this quadratic equation smaller by dividing every term by 2.

x^2 + 18x - 126 = 0

Can you finish now?

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