Answer:
5, 12, 13
Step-by-step explanation:
let x be the longer leg then x + 1 is the hypotenuse and x - 7 the shorter leg
Using Pythagoras' identity in the right triangle
x² + (x - 7)² = (x + 1)² ← expand using FOIL
x² + x² - 14x + 49 = x² + 2x + 1
2x² - 14x + 49 = x² + 2x + 1 ( subtract x² + 2x + 1 from both sides )
x² - 16x + 48 = 0 ← in standard form
(x - 4)(x - 12) = 0 ← in factored form
Equate each factor to zero and solve for x
x - 4 = 0 ⇒ x = 4
x - 12 = 0 ⇒ x = 12
x = 4 , then x - 7 = 4 - 7 = - 3 ← not possible
x = 12, then x - 7 = 12 - 7 = 5 and x + 1 = 12 + 1 = 13
The lengths of the 3 sides are
longer leg = 12 m , shorter leg = 5 m and hypotenuse = 13 m
