Question

In a right triangle the length of a hypotenuse is c and the length of one leg is a, and the length of the other leg is b, what is the value of b, if c=5, a=3

Answer 1

b = 4

Explanation:

Try setting up the equation of the pythagorean theorem.

hypotenuse^2 = leg(a)^2 + leg(b)^2

c^2 = a^2+b^2

Now substitute what you know and solve for the unknown.

5^2 = 3^2+b^2

25 = 9 + b^2

b^2 = 25-9 = 16

b = 4.