Problema Solution
The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 4 inches long and the sum of the lengths of the two legs is 5 inches. Find the lengths of the legs.
Answer provided by our tutors
let
c = 4 in the hypotenuse
a and b are the legs of the right triangle and the sum of the lengths of the two legs is 5 inches:
a + b = 5
a = 5 - b
by using the Pythagorean Theorem we can write:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
(5 - b)^2 + b^2 = 4^2
by solving we find
b1 = 3.82 in
b2 = 1.18 in
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for b = 3.82 in a = 1.18 and
for b = 1.18 in we have a = 3.82 in
Thus the legs on the triangle are 3.82 in and 1.18 in.