Question

Two sides of a right triangle are 5 units and 8 units respectively.

Those sides could be the legs, or they could be one leg and the
hypotenuse. What are the possible lengths of the third side?

Answer 1

Answer: See explanation

Explanation:

The possible lengths of the third side would be:

✓hypotenuse = (✓5² + 8²)

= ✓(25 + 64)

= ✓89

= 9.4

OR

8² - 5² = side²

side² = 64 - 25

side² = 39

Side = ✓39

Side = 6.24