Question
A room is in the shape of a right triangle. The hypotenuse is 8 meters longer than the short leg and the long leg is 4 meters longer than the short leg. Find the length of each side. (ok, now how can it be done if I change each side to cm and km, then ft and yards?)
Answers
MathMate
The numerical answer would be the same if the information were given in cm, m, or feet.
Let x be the short side.
long side = x+4
hypotenuse = x+8
Apply Pythagoras theorem:
(x+4)²+x² = (x+8)²
Solve for x (it is a quadratic equation).
You will find two integer solutions, one of which is negative and should be rejected.
Let x be the short side.
long side = x+4
hypotenuse = x+8
Apply Pythagoras theorem:
(x+4)²+x² = (x+8)²
Solve for x (it is a quadratic equation).
You will find two integer solutions, one of which is negative and should be rejected.
Henry
Julie,check your 2-20-11,4:09 post.