Question

Three squares areJoined at the verticesto form a right triangle.The figure on the rightshows the lengths of aside of two of the threesquares. What could bethe length of a side ofthe third square?A24B18C8D12

Answer 1

According to the information the triangle is formed by the sides of the 3 squares, if you mind the missing side of the triangle formed by the 5inch and 13inch sides you find the side of the third square.

Use the pythagorean

$\begin{gathered} h^2=x^2+y^2 \\ 13^2=5^2+y^2 \\ 13^2-5^2=y^2 \\ 169-25=y^2 \\ 144=y2 \\ \sqrt[]{144}=y \\ 12=y \end{gathered}$

The lenght of a side in the third square could be 12 inches.