Question 204600
Find the missing side of a right triangle in which a = 12, c = 20, b = ?
Assuming that side c is the hypotenuse, then you can use the Pythagorean theorem to find side b:
{{{c^2 = a^2+b^2}}} Substitute a = 12 and c = 20.
{{{20^2 = 12^2+b^2}}} Simplify.
{{{400 = 144+b^2}}} Subtract 144 from both sides of the equation.
{{{256 = b^2}}} Take the square root of both sides.
{{{highlight(b = 16)}}}