Question

What is the length of a leg of an isosceles right triangle whose hypotenuse measures 6 inches? Let c represent the value of the hypotenuse. If the hypotenuse is c = a, then 6 = a. In inches, what is the value of a? 3 6

Answer 1

Perfect problem, excellent answer.

Answer 2

The answer depends on if the triangle is a 45-45-90 triangle or a 30-60-90 triangle. If it is a 45-45-90 triangle, then we would use the Pythagorean Theorem (a^2+b^2=c^2). plugging in the hypothesis, the equation would be a+b=36. If the legs are equal in the triangle, then each side would be the sqrt of 18 inches. Simplified, it would be 3r2.