Question

Use the image to answer the question.

A right triangle with the vertical leg labeled a, horizontal leg labeled b, and hypotenuse labeled c

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

(1 point)

a=9


a=81


a=12


a=15

Answer 1

9

Reason: In the triple (9,12,15) the largest number 15 is the hypotenuse c, so the legs are 9 and 12; since a labels the vertical leg, a = 9.