Question

A right-angled triangle has sides of lengths (x+5)cm, (x-3)cm and 9cm. Calculate the value of x

Answer 1

Answer:

x=4.0625 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pythagorean theorem states that the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of the two legs.

Not knowing which is the hypotenuse, lets assume that (x+5)cm is the hypotenuse:

(x+5)^2= 9^2+(x-3)^2

(x^2+10x+25)=81+(x^2-6x+9)

x^2+10x+25=81+x^2-6x+9

16x=65

x=4.0625

Checking:

(4.0625+5)^2=9^2+(4.0625-3)^2

82.1289=82.1289