17mm, 15mm, and b

Question

What is the length of the missing leg? If necessary, round to the nearest tenth.
b=___ millimeters

Answer 1

To find the length of the missing leg $b$, we need more context about the problem. It seems like you may be referring to a right triangle, where 17 mm and 15 mm could be the lengths of the two legs, and $b$ might be the hypotenuse or the length of the missing leg.

1. If $b$ is the hypotenuse: We can use the Pythagorean theorem: $$a^2+b^2=c^2$$ Here, $a=15$ mm and $c=17$ mm. We can find $b$ as follows: $${15}^2+b^2={17}^2$$ $$225+b^2=289$$ $$b^2=289-225$$ $$b^2=64$$ $$b=\sqrt{64}=8\text{ mm}$$

2. If $b$ is one of the legs: Assuming $b$ is the length of the missing leg and 17 mm is the hypotenuse: $${15}^2+b^2={17}^2$$ This set-up would be the same calculation as above, leading to: $$b=8\text{ mm}$$

In both cases, if the problem is set up as a right triangle, the length of the missing leg $b$ is $8$ mm.

Please confirm if this is the case, or provide additional context if necessary!