The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10 centimeters and one of the legs is 6 centimeters.

the leg to the very left is 6 cm and the leg to the top is 10 cm. the bottom leg has a x for unknown.

My teacher gave me the answer since I couldn't figure it out and she told me that it is 8 centimeters. And I can't figure out how to solve this question. so can someone please try to help me understand how to solve this question please??? thank you

6 answers

We need to use the Pythagorean Theorem.

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

a = one leg
b = one leg
c = hypotenuse

a^2 + 6^2 = 10^2

a^2 + 36 = 100

a^2 = 100 - 36

a^2 = 64

a = 8
thank you so much mrs.sue you are a lifesaver. :D
But what does ^ mean??
You're very welcome, Dingbat.
^ means to the power of

6^2 = 6 squared
okay thank you :)