Problema Solution
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 19 inches longer than the shorter leg. The longer leg is 5 inches longer than the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg.
Answer provided by our tutors
let 'x' and 'y' be the legs of the right triangle.
let x be the longer leg.
the hypotenuse is (x^2 + y^2)^0.5 Pythagorean Theorem
by solving the system of equations
x = y + 5
x^2 + y^2 = (y + 19)^2
we find
x = 42.0651 in
y = 37.0651 in
The length of the shorter leg is 37.0651 in.