Question

If Z = 15 cm and X = 17 cm, what is the length of Y?
picture attached
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Answer 1

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 for right triangles, right?

so, z^2 + y^2 = x^2

15^2 + y^2 = 17^2

225 + y^2 = 289

y^2 = 64

y = 8

(it's also what's referred to as an 8, 15, 17 triangle. just like 3, 4, 5 where the sides are whole numbers)