Question

The measure of b is ____.

Answer 1

Answer:

$\Huge\boxed{b=21}$

Step-by-step explanation:

Pythagorean Theorem:

$a^2+b^2=c^2$

where a and b = legs and c = hypotenuse

we are given a leg and the hypotenuse so we plug in what we have into the formula

$20^2+b^2=29^2$

now we solve for b

step 1 subtract 20^2 from each side

$b^2=29^2-20^2\\29^2=841\\2-^2=400\\841-400=441\\441=b^2$

finally we want to get rid of the exponent on the b

to do so we take the square root of each side

$\sqrt{441} =\sqrt{b^2} \\\sqrt{441} =21\\\sqrt{b^2} =b$

we're left with b = 21

Note: They Pythagorean theorem only works with right triangles