Question

Given is a right triangle with side lengths a, b, and c. The Pythagorean triple (9,12,15)
(
9
,
12
,
15
)
represents the side lengths of the given right triangle. Which of the following is the correct value of a?

(1 point)
Responses

a=81
𝑎
=
81

a equals 81

a=12
𝑎
=
12

a equals 12

a=9
𝑎
=
9

a equals 9

a=15

Answer 1

a = 9

Reason: The triple (9, 12, 15) gives the side lengths (legs 9 and 12, hypotenuse 15). a must be one of those lengths (not 81), and the usual labeling gives the smaller leg a = 9.