<PRE><B>Question 967208</B>
let x be length of other side, h be length of hypotenuse
x + h = 25
15^2 + x^2 = h^2
we have two equations in two unknowns
solve first equation for x and substitute for x in second equation
15^2 + (25-h)^2 = h^2
225 + 625 -50h +h^2 = h^2
subtract h^2 from both sides of =
850 -50h = 0
add 50h to both sides of =
50h = 850
h = 17, therefore
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hypotenuse is 17 inches and the other leg is 25-17 = 8 inches
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to check answer substitute in second equation
15^2 + 8^2 = 17^2
225 + 64 = 289
289 = 289
our answer checks



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