Question

Use Pythagorean Theorem to find the missing length of a leg? (1 point) Responses 17.5 17.5 144 144 12 12 225 ( One side is 15, the other is 9)

Answers

GPT-4o mini
To find the missing length of a leg in a right triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem, we use the formula:

\[
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\]

where \( c \) is the length of the hypotenuse, and \( a \) and \( b \) are the lengths of the legs. In this case, one leg is 15, and the other leg is 9. We can find the length of the hypotenuse \( c \) first:

\[
15^2 + 9^2 = c^2
\]

Calculating the squares:

\[
15^2 = 225
\]
\[
9^2 = 81
\]

Now, add these values together:

\[
225 + 81 = c^2
\]
\[
306 = c^2
\]

Now, to find the length of the hypotenuse \( c \):

\[
c = \sqrt{306} \approx 17.44
\]

Now, if you want to find a missing leg given the hypotenuse and one leg, we rearrange the formula to solve for the missing leg, say \( b \):

\[
b^2 = c^2 - a^2
\]

If suppose we need to find a leg with a hypotenuse of 15 and the other leg of 9:

\[
b^2 = 15^2 - 9^2
\]
\[
b^2 = 225 - 81
\]
\[
b^2 = 144
\]
\[
b = \sqrt{144} = 12
\]

So, the missing leg length is \( 12 \). The answer is **12**.

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