Question

Which is longest?

Answer 1

Answer:

12cm

Step-by-step explanation:

where:

c

is the hypotenuse, and

a

and

b

are the other two sides (legs).

Let

a

=

9 cm

Rearrange the equation to isolate

b

2

. Plug in the values for

a

and

c

, and solve.

b

2

=

c

2

−

a

2

b

2

=

(

15 cm

)

2

−

(

9 cm

)

2

Simplify.

b

2

=

225 cm

2

−

81

cm

2

b

2

=

144 cm

2

Take the square root of both sides.

b

=

√

144 cm

2

Simplify.

b

=

12 cm