To find the missing side of a right triangle when you have two sides, you can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
where \(c\) is the hypotenuse (the longest side) and \(a\) and \(b\) are the other two sides.
Given that you have the lengths 8 and 18, assume that one of these is the hypotenuse. Let’s check both scenarios:
- If 18 is the hypotenuse:
Let \(a = 8\) (one side), and we need to find \(b\) (the other side).
Using the Pythagorean theorem,
\[ 8^2 + b^2 = 18^2 \] \[ 64 + b^2 = 324 \] \[ b^2 = 324 - 64 \] \[ b^2 = 260 \] \[ b = \sqrt{260} \approx 16.1 \]
- If 8 is the hypotenuse:
This case can be ignored since \(8\) cannot be the hypotenuse if \(18\) is one of the sides.
Thus, the missing side is approximately \(16.1\) when rounded to the nearest tenth.