The answer, in short, is that the short leg equals 15 mm, the long leg equals 20 mm, and the hypotenuse equals 25mm. but if you'd like to see how I solved it, here are the steps.
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The Pythagorean theorem (also known as Pythagoras's Theorem) can be used to solve this. This theorem states that one leg or a right triangle squared plus the other side of that same triangle squared equals the hypotenuse of that triangle squared. To put it in equation form, L² + L² = H².

Let's call the longer leg B, the shorter leg A, and the hypotenuse H.
From the question, we know that A = B - 5, and H = B + 5.

So if we put those values into an equation, we have (B - 5)² + B² = (B + 5)²

Now, to solve. Let's square the two terms in parentheses first:
(B² - 5B - 5B + 25) + B² = B² + 5B + 5B + 25

Now combine like terms:
2B² -10B + 25 = B² + 10B + 25

And now we simplify. Subtract 25 from each side:
2B² - 10B = B² + 10B

Subtract B² from each side:
B² - 10B = 10B

Add 10B to each side:
B² = 20B

And finally, divide each side by B:
B = 20

So that's the length of B. Now to find out A and H.
A = B - 5, so A = 15.
H = B + 5, so H = 25.

And your final answer is A = 15mm, B = 20mm, and H = 25mm

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2 years ago