We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve this problem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs. Let x be the length of the missing leg. Then we have:
x^2 + 15^2 = 17^2
Simplifying and solving for x, we get:
x^2 = 17^2 - 15^2
x^2 = 64
x = sqrt(64)
x = 8
Therefore, the length of the missing leg is 8.
Find the length of the missing leg of a right triangle given a leg of length 15 and hypotenuse of length 17. Leave your answer in simplest radical form.
1 answer