Question 76799
Hi Sabrina,
The Pythagorean Theorem says that the hypotenuse squared is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs.
{{{c^2=a^2+b^2}}}
The shorter leg of a right triangle is 11 meters. The hypotenuse is 1 meter longer than the longer leg. Find the length of the longer leg. 
let the shorter leg be a=11
let the longer leg be b=x
then the hypotenuse is: x+1
Plug them into the Pythagorean Theorem and you get:
{{{(x+1)^2=(11)^2+(x)^2}}}
{{{(x+1)(x+1)=121+x^2}}}
{{{x^2+x+x+1=121+x^2}}}
{{{x^2+2x+1=121+x^2}}}
{{{x^2-x^2+2x+1=121+x^2-x^2}}}
{{{2x+1=121}}}
{{{2x+1-1=121-1}}}
{{{2x=120}}}
{{{2x/2=120/2}}}
{{{x=60}}}
The Longer leg is b=x=60 m
(The hypotenuse would be 60+1=61 m they didn't ask for that, but they could have.)
Happy Calculating!!!!