If I know the lengths of two sides of a right triangle, how do I find the third? Please provide a step by step teaching example for me :)

Question

sarahc · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

$$a^2+b^2=c^2$$

anonymous · Answer

where a and b are the sides and c is the hypotenuse

anonymous · Answer

a and b are perpendicular sides.

anonymous · Answer

Okay, if you know the legs of the triangle, then use the Pythagorean Theorem.

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

So you put in the values of a and b (the legs) and once you get c^2, you take the square root to find the hypotenuse.

Now, if you have one leg and the hypotenuse, you can still use this theorem.

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

You plug in the values of a/b (doesn't matter) and c in this case, and then you can find the length of the other leg.

asnaseer · Answer

You need to use the Pythagorus Theorem (as stated by Romero). You can learn more about this here: http://www.mathsisfun.com/pythagoras.html

anonymous · Answer

Examples:

Two sides of a right triangle are given: 30 and 40. Find the hypotenuse.

Plug in the values. 
30^2 + 40^2 = c^2
900+1600 = c^2
2500 = c^2
c = 50

So the hypotenuse's length is 50.

Another problem with the other case:

If one of the legs of a right triangle is 50 and the hypotenuse's length is 130, what is the length of the other leg?

Plug it in.
50^2 + b^2 = 130^2
2500 + b^2 = 16900
b^2 = 14400
b = 120

So the other leg of the right triangle is 120.

Do you understand now?

sarahc · Answer

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE :) I have another question though!