Question 797212
hi there, pythagoras's theorem is required however finding the length or shorter side means subtraction between the 2 lengths..
give variable 'a' the value of 8, and variable 'c' the value of 15.
{{{b^2 = c^2 - a^2}}}
{{{b^2 = 15^2 - 8^2}}}
{{{b^2 = 225 - 64}}}
{{{b^2 = 161}}}
{{{b = sqrt(161)}}}
{{{b = 12.688}}}

therefore your length of the third side is 12.688, however as stated you wish for it to be to the nearest tenth it is 12.7
hope this helps