Problema Solution
A vegetable garden is in the shape of a right triangle. The hypotenuse is 1 foot more than twice the shortest side. The other side is 1 foot l3ss than twice the shortest side. Find the length of the shortest side
Answer provided by our tutors
Let the shortest side be x
Therefore,
Other side = 2x-1
and
Hypotenuse = 2x+1
According to Pythagorus Theorem,
(Hypotenuse)^2 = (Perpendicular)^2 + (Base)^2
Therefore,
(2x+1)^2 = (x)2+(2x-1)^2
or, 4x^2+4x+1 = x^2+4x^2-4x+1
or,x^2-8x = 0
or, x(x-8) = 0
Therefore,
x=0 or x=8
As x cannot be equal to 0
Therefore, x = 8
Hence,
Shortest Side = 8 units
Other Side = 15 units
Hypotenuse = 17 units