Question 986779
Hi there,
One leg is 5 ins. shorter than
other leg.
Other leg = 'x'
One leg = x - 5
Hypotenuse = 25 ins
x^2 + (x - 5)^2 = 25^2
x^2 + x^2 - 10 + 25 = 625
2x^2 - 10x - 600 = 0
Divide thro' by 2
x^2 - 5x - 300 = 0
Factorise
(x - 20)(x + 15) = 0
x + 15 = 0
x = -15 (no answer as -ve)
x - 20 = 0
x = 20
Other leg = 20 inches
One leg = 15 inches
Hypotenuse = 25 inches.
Hope this helps :-)