Question

Find the length of the leg(s) of a right triangle, to the nearest hundredth, if both legs are equal and the hypotenuse is 10.

(a = x, b = x, and c = 10)

Answer 1

7.07 units

Explanation:

Use the Pythagorean theorem for the right triangle:

`\text{hypotenuse}^2=\text{leg}_1^2+\text{leg}_2^2,\\ \\c^2=a^2+b^2.`

If a = x, b = x, and c = 10, then

`10^2=x^2+x^2,\\ \\100=2x^2,\\ \\x^2=50,\\ \\x=√(50)=5√(2)\approx 7.07\ units.`