To find the length of side \( y \) in a right triangle with one leg measuring 8 inches and the hypotenuse measuring 12 inches, you can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
where \( a \) and \( b \) are the legs of the triangle and \( c \) is the hypotenuse.
In this case, you have:
- One leg \( a = 8 \) inches
- Hypotenuse \( c = 12 \) inches
- The other leg \( b = y \)
Substituting these values into the theorem gives you:
\[ 8^2 + y^2 = 12^2 \]
So the correct equation to find the length of side \( y \) is:
82+y²=122
(8 squared plus y squared is equal to 12 squared)