Answer:
x = + 14.88 km
Step-by-step explanation:
Let's solve for x using the Pythagorean Theorem.
The length of the hypotenuse is 15.8 km; that of the shorter leg is 5.3 km.
Since a² + b² = c², we get:
(5.3 km)² + x² = (15.8 km)²
Solving for x², we obtain (15.8 km)² - (5.3 km)² = 249.64 km² - 28.09 km²
The last expression returns the value 221.55 km² for x²
Taking the square root of both sides, we get x = + 14.88 km