The hypotenuse of a right triangle measures 12 ft. One leg of the triangle measures 7 ft. Find the other leg length. Review the work below. What is incorrect in this student’s work and why can the problem not be solved in this way?
• Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
• 122 + 72 = c2
• 144 + 49 = c2
• 193 = c2
• The other leg is about 13.9 ft.

Question

The hypotenuse of a right triangle measures 12 ft. One leg of the triangle measures 7 ft.  Find the other leg length.  Review the work below.  What is incorrect in this student’s work and why can the problem not be solved in this way?
•	Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
•	122 + 72 = c2
•	144 + 49 = c2
•	193 = c2
•	The other leg is about 13.9 ft.

anonymous · Answer

because c is the hypotenuse, not one of the legs
should be $7^2+b^2=12^2$

parthkohli · Answer

$\Large 49 + b^{2} = 144 $
$\Large b^{2} = 95 $

anonymous · Answer

by using pythagoras theorm 

hypotenius^2 = perpendicular^2 + base^2

12^2= 7^2 + perpendicular^2

144=49+ perpendicular^2
$$\sqrt{95}$$

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