Problema Solution

the hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is 9cm longer than either of is legs. find the EXACT length of each side

Answer provided by our tutors

let


a = the length of each of the legs, a>0

b = the length of the hypotenuse, b>0


the hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is 9 cm longer than either of is legs


b = 9 + a


using the Pythagorean Theorem we can write


a^2 + a^2 = b^2


2a^2 = b^2


plug b = 9 + a into the last equation


2a^2 = (9 + a)^2


by solving we find


a = 9 + 9√2


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b = 9 + 9 + 9√2


b = 18 + 9√2


the EXACT length of each side is: the hypotenuse is 18 + 9√2 cm and each of the legs is 9 + 9√2 cm.