Question

In a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches and the length of one leg is 15 inches. What is the length of the other leg in inches?

Answer 1

Solutions 

To solve this problem we have to use the Pythagorean theorem. You can only use the Pythagorean theorem in Right Triangles. The longest side of the triangle is called the "hypotenuse". C² is the longest side so it is the hypotenuse . To calculate c² we have to do α² + β² = c². 

Given 

In a right triangle, the length of the hypotenuse is 20 inches and the length of one leg is 15 inches. 

$c^2 = 20 in$

$a^2 = 15 in$

$b^2 = Unknown$ 

------------ Calculations 

$b^2 = c^2 - a^2$  

$b^2 = c^2(20) - a^2(15)$ 

$b^2 = 400 - 225$ 

$b^2 = 175$ 

$b = \sqrt{175}$ 

$b = 13.2287565553$