This problem can be modeled by the picture shown below. We notice that we are given to side lengths, specifically legs, of the triangle. Therefore, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem, which states that a^2+b^2=c^2, where a and b are legs and c is the hypotenuse. So we can do:
16^2+12^2=c^2
256+144=c^2
400=c^2
The square root of 400 is 20, which is our hypotenuse.
(You might wonder why we used 12, that is because the whole base length is 24, but we only need half of the base to use the Pythagorean Theorem. 24/2 is 12).
:)
16^2+12^2=c^2
256+144=c^2
400=c^2
The square root of 400 is 20, which is our hypotenuse.
(You might wonder why we used 12, that is because the whole base length is 24, but we only need half of the base to use the Pythagorean Theorem. 24/2 is 12).
:)