Question

Apply the Pythagorean
Theorem to find the unknown
side length in the given
triangle. Round your answer
to the nearest tenth.
3^2+b^2=15^2

234
14.7
216
15.3

Answer 1

To solve for the unknown side length \( b \) in the equation \( 3^2 + b^2 = 15^2 \), we can follow these steps:

1. Calculate \( 3^2 \) and \( 15^2 \):
\[
3^2 = 9
\]
\[
15^2 = 225
\]

2. Substitute these values into the equation:
\[
9 + b^2 = 225
\]

3. Isolate \( b^2 \) by subtracting 9 from both sides:
\[
b^2 = 225 - 9
\]
\[
b^2 = 216
\]

4. Solve for \( b \) by taking the square root of both sides:
\[
b = \sqrt{216}
\]

5. Calculate \( \sqrt{216} \):
\[
\sqrt{216} \approx 14.7
\]

Thus, rounding to the nearest tenth, the unknown side length \( b \) is approximately **14.7**.