Finding the missing side of the right triangle. Round your answer to the nearest tenth. Click Here for Help Video.

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1 answer

To find the missing side \( x \) of a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that for a right triangle with legs \( a \) and \( b \) and hypotenuse \( c \):

\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]

From your message, it appears that one side is \( 5 \), and the other side (the longer leg or hypotenuse) may be \( 33 \) (though it's not clear which side corresponds to which number).

Assuming \( 5 \) is one leg and \( 33 \) is the hypotenuse, we can rearrange the equation:

\[ 5^2 + x^2 = 33^2 \]

Calculating:

\[ 25 + x^2 = 1089 \quad (\text{since } 33^2 = 1089) \]

Now, subtract \( 25 \) from both sides:

\[ x^2 = 1089 - 25 \] \[ x^2 = 1064 \]

Now, take the square root of both sides:

\[ x = \sqrt{1064} \approx 32.6 \]

So, when rounded to the nearest tenth, the missing side \( x \approx 32.6 \).

If instead, \( 33 \) is one of the legs and \( 5 \) is the other leg, then you would set it up as:

\[ 5^2 + x^2 = 33^2 \]

But clearly, \( 33 \) being the hypotenuse as in the prior case is the correct interpretation for this situation unless specified otherwise. Make sure to adjust based on which side corresponds to the given values.