Question 548549
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 16 in. longer than the shortest side and 2 in. longer than the remaining side. Find the dimensions of this triangle. What is the length of the shortest side (in inches)? 
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Let shortest side be "x":
Then hypotenuse is "x+16":
3rd side is "x+14":
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Equation:
x^2 + (x+14)^2 = (x+16)^2
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x^2 + x^2+28x+14^2 = x^2 + 32x + 16^2
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x^2 - 4x - 60 = 0
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x^2-10x+6x-60 = 0
x(x-10)+6(x-10) = 0
(x-10)(x+6) = 0
Positive solution:
x = 10 (shortest)
x+16 = 26 (hypotenuse)
x+14 = 24 (3rd side)
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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