To find the missing side of a right triangle when two sides are known, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
where \(c\) is the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side), and \(a\) and \(b\) are the lengths of the other two sides.
From the information provided, it looks like 38 units and 9 units are the lengths of two sides. We need to determine whether 38 units is the hypotenuse or one of the other sides.
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If 38 units is the hypotenuse: \[ a = 9 \] \[ c = 38 \] We can find side \(b\): \[ 9^2 + b^2 = 38^2 \] \[ 81 + b^2 = 1444 \] \[ b^2 = 1444 - 81 \] \[ b^2 = 1363 \] \[ b = \sqrt{1363} \approx 36.9 \text{ (to the nearest tenth)} \]
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If 9 units is the hypotenuse, that cannot be, as it’s shorter than 38 units.
Therefore, the missing side of the right triangle is approximately 36.9 units when rounding to the nearest tenth.