Question

If one of the legs of a triangle measures 10 cm and the hypotenuse measures 50.5 cm, find the length of the other leg? Round your answer to the nearest tenth if necessary.





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Answer 1

Let the legs be a = 10 cm and b (unknown), and the hypotenuse c = 50.5 cm. By the Pythagorean theorem:

b^2 + a^2 = c^2
b^2 = c^2 − a^2

Substitute the values:
b^2 = (50.5)^2 − (10)^2
b^2 = 2550.25 − 100
b^2 = 2450.25

b = sqrt(2450.25) = 49.5

Answer: the other leg is 49.5 cm (to the nearest tenth).