To find the length of the missing leg \( b \) in a right triangle where the other two legs are 45 miles and 36 miles, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
where \( c \) is the length of the hypotenuse and \( a \) and \( b \) are the lengths of the other two sides (legs).
Assuming that 45 miles is the hypotenuse, we can set up the equation as follows:
\[ 36^2 + b^2 = 45^2 \]
Calculating the squares:
\[ 1296 + b^2 = 2025 \]
Now, subtract 1296 from both sides:
\[ b^2 = 2025 - 1296 = 729 \]
Next, we take the square root of both sides to find \( b \):
\[ b = \sqrt{729} = 27 \]
Thus, the length of the missing leg \( b \) is:
\[ b = 27 \text{ miles} \]
If you were referring to a different configuration (with 45 and 36 as legs), please clarify, and we can recalculate accordingly.
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