Question

A right-angled triangle has shorter side lengths exactly c^2-b^2 and 2bc units respectively, where b and c are positive real numbers such that cc is greater than b. Find an exact expression for the length of the hypotenuse (in appropriate units).

Answer 1

Answer: hypotenuse = $c^{2} + b^{2}$

Step-by-step explanation: Pythagorean theorem states that square of hypotenuse (h) equals the sum of squares of each side ($s_{1},s_{2}$) of the right triangle, .i.e.:

$h^{2} = s_{1}^{2} + s_{2}^{2}$

In this question:

$s_{1}$ = $c^{2}-b^{2}$

$s_{2} =$ 2bc

Substituing and taking square root to find hypotenuse:

$h=\sqrt{(c^{2}-b^{2})^{2}+(2bc)^{2}}$

Calculating:

$h=\sqrt{c^{4}+b^{4}-2b^{2}c^{2}+(4b^{2}c^{2})}$

$h=\sqrt{c^{4}+b^{4}+2b^{2}c^{2}}$

$c^{4}+b^{4}+2b^{2}c^{2}$ = $(c^{2}+b^{2})^{2}$, then:

$h=\sqrt{(c^{2}+b^{2})^{2}}$

$h=(c^{2}+b^{2})$

Hypotenuse for the right-angled triangle is $h=(c^{2}+b^{2})$ units