Question

Determine the length of the hypotenuse in a right triangle with legs 5 inches and 12 inches

Answer 1

In a right angled triangle we can use Pythagoras theorem to determine third side in case two sides are given.

The formula of Pythagoras theorem is given by:

$x^{2} +y^{2} =z^{2}$

Where x , y and z are sides of triangle , z is hypotenuse.

Now we use this formula to find hypotenuse.

Plugging other two sides which are 5 in. and 12 in.

$5^{2} +12^{2} =z^{2}$

$25 +144 =z^{2}$

$169 =z^{2}$

Taking square root on both sides

square root of 169 is 13

so we have z=13

Hypotenuse is 13 inches.