Question

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 12.4 ft. One of the other two sides is 5.8 ft How

long is the third side?

Answer 1

Use Pythagorean theorem
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Hypothenuse = 12.4
Let’s assume a = 5.8
Plug into the equation
5.8^2 + b^2 = 12.4^2
33.64 + b^2 = 153.76
b^2 = 120.12
b = square root of 120.12
10.9599270071 (calculator used)

Solution: around 11 ft