Answer:
hypotenuse = 13
shortest side = 5
third side = 12
Step-by-step explanation:
Given sides a, b, and c, with c representing the hypotenuse of a right triangle, we can say that
a²+b² = c² using the Pythagorean Theorem.
We are given that the hypotenuse (c) = 8 cm more than the shortest side. Representing the shortest side as a, we can say that c= 8 + a. Then, the third side, which we can represent as b, is 1cm shorter than the hypotenuse, so c-1 = b
c= 8+a
c-1 = b
a²+b² = c²
One thing we can do is to solve for everything in terms of c and solve the third equation from there
c= 8+a
subtract 8 from both sides
c-8 = a
a²+b² = c²
(c-8)²+b² =c²
b = c-1
(c-8)² + (c-1)² = c²
expand
c²-16c + 64 + c² - 2c + 1 = c²
2c² - 18c + 65 = c²
subtract c² from both sides to make this an equation that we can more easily solve
c² - 18c + 65 = 0
To factor, we can find two numbers that add to (-18) and multiply to 65. Two numbers that work at 13 and 5, so we have
c²-13c-5c + 65 = 0
c(c-13) -5(c-13) = 0
(c-5)(c-13) = 0
Therefore, the hypotenuse, or c, is 5 or 13. Because a=c-8, if c=5, a would be negative 3. This is not possible, so c cannot be 5. Therefore, c=13, a=c-8=5, and b=c-1= 12
