The longer leg of a right triangle is 1 ft longer than the shorter leg. The hypotenuse is 1 ft shorter than twice the shorter leg. Find the length of the shorter leg of the triangle.

Question

The longer leg of a right triangle is 1 ft longer than the shorter leg.  The          hypotenuse is 1 ft shorter than twice the shorter leg.  Find the length of the         shorter leg of the triangle.

anonymous · Answer

let shorter leg=a
longer leg=a+1
hypo=2a-1
a^2+(a+1)^2=(2a-1)^2
2a^2-6a=0
a=3

anonymous · Answer

shorter leg= x
long leg = 1ft+x
hyp= 2x-1ft
short leg= 3
correct given above