Question

The lengths of two sides of a right triangle are 5 inches and 8 inches. What is the difference between the two possible lengths of the third side of the triangle? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

If 5 in and 8 in are legs:
hypotenuse = √(5²+8²) = √89 ≈ 9.4 in.

If 5 in is the leg and 8 in is the hypotenuse:
other leg = √(8²-5²) = √39 ≈ 6.2 in.

The difference between the two possible lengths of the third side = 
9.4 - 6.2 = 3.2 in.