Problema Solution
If the longer leg of a right triangle is 12 feet more than the shorter leg and the hypotenuse is 12
feet less than twice the shorter leg, then the length of the shorter leg is:
Answer provided by our tutors
Let
x = the length of the shorter leg, x>0
x + 12 = the length of the longer leg
2x - 12 = the hypotenuse
Using the Pythagorean Theorem we can write:
x^2 + (x + 12)^2 = (2x - 12)^2
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x = 36 ft
The length of the shorter leg is 36 feet.