Question

THe hypotenuse of a right triangle is 26cm. THe sum of the other two sides is 34 cm. Find the lengths of the other two sides of the triangle.

Answer 1

x^2+(34-x)^2 = 26^2
find x

Answer 2

if a & b are sides, then:
a+b=34
a^2 +b^2 = 26^2

solve it for a & b

Answer 3

you can re-write:
a=34-b
and substitute a in second equation.
solve quadratic equation for b & find a

Answer 4

Okay, I did that and then I got 2x^2-68x+1156=676

Answer 5

i got:
2b^2 - 68b+480=0

Answer 6

But I think I did something wrong... because it didn't work out...

Answer 7

The first step, (that dhatraditya wrote) was correct... but something in my process work was wrong

Answer 8

(34-b)^2+b^2=26^2
34^2-68b+2b^2-26^2=0
2b^2-68b+480=0
b^2-34b+240=0

Answer 9

b^2-34b+240 = 0
b = 10, 24

Answer 10

it will give you 10 & 24 !
dhatraditya is right!

Answer 11

Okay, that works, thanks!

Answer 12

you are welcome

Answer 13

Wait, sorry, how do you get from b^2-34b+240 = 0 to b=10, 24 ????

Answer 14

Please answer!!!

Answer 15

do you know how to factor quadratic equations?

Answer 16

yes. I'm pretty sure that's where I'm doing it wrong - I got 2(x-30)(x-4) , but that's not right...

Answer 17

or the quadratic formula. either is okay

Answer 18

I need to factor it for this problem...

Answer 19

no that is not right.
30 * 4 is not equal to 240, it is 120
why did you choose 30 and 4?

Answer 20

Because I didn't multiply right!!!! OOOOOOOPS!

Answer 21

so it should be 2(x-24)(x-10), right?

Answer 22

why are you multiplying the whole thing by 2?

Answer 23

Because I factored 2 out of the equation earlier...

Answer 24

if 2 times x is 0
then x is 0
anyway, your answer is correct.

Answer 25

Okay, thanks again :)

Answer 26

np