Question

The legs of a right triangle are 12 cm and 16 cm. What is the length of the hypotenuse? 15 cm 17 cm 20 cm 28 cm

Answer 1

Answer: 20 cm

To solve this, use the Pythagorean Theorem, a² + b² = c², where a and b are the legs of the right triangle, and c is the hypotenuse of the right triangle.
**The Pythagorean Theorem only works for right triangles.**

Substitute in the values.
a² +  b² = c²
12² + 16² = c²

Solve for c, the hypotenuse.
12² + 16² = c²               
144 + 256 = c²
400 = c²
c = √400
c = 20

Answer 2

Answer:

20cm

Step-by-step explanation: