Question

Find the exact length of the third side

Answer 1

Answer:

√23

Step-by-step explanation:

When you are given two side lengths of a right triangle, you use the Pythagorean theorem to find the third side: a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse (the longest side).

All you have to do is plug the given information in:

Remember, 13 is the hypotenuse for this triangle.

12² + b² = 13²

Simplify:

144 + b² = 169

Subtract 144 from both sides:

b² = 169-144

b² = 23

Square root both sides:

b = √23

And that's your answer!