Question

For the values a = 2.9 which is a leg of a right triangle, and value c = 4.2, which is the hypotenuse, find the length of the other leg, b, to the nearest tenth.
A. 2.9

B. 3.0

C. 2.8

D. 1.3

Answer 1

Given:
a = 2.9
c = 4.2
b = ?

Right triangle. Use Pythagorean Theorem.
a² + b² = c²
b² = c² - a²
b² = 4.2² - 2.9²
b² = 17.64 - 8.41
b² = 9.23
b = √9.23
b = 3.04  Choice B.

The length of the other leg is 3.0

Answer 2

The right one is B) 3.0, as you know $a^{2} + b^{2} = c^2$ due to Pythagoras' theorem. So $b= \sqrt{c^2 - a^2}$. Put the right numbers into the formula and you get 3.0. That is B.