how do you do Pythagorean Theory, I used to know how, I forgot becuase I haven't used it in forever. I have $$a^2+b^2=c^2$$ $$a^2+15^2=12^2$$ $$a^2+255=144$$ i don't know where to go after this. :/

Question

how do you do  Pythagorean Theory, I used to know how, I forgot becuase I haven't used it in forever. I have $$a^2+b^2=c^2$$ $$a^2+15^2=12^2$$ $$a^2+255=144$$ i don't know where to go after this. :/

anonymous · Answer

What exactly is it that you're trying to do?

andriod09 · Answer

i'm trying to solve this:
|dw:1366140353896:dw|

anonymous · Answer

Okay.

Pythagoras says that "the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the sides".

The hypotenuse of a triangle is the longest side.

The "15" in your diagram is the hypotenuse.

In your equation a^2+b^2=c^2, "c" represents your hypotenuse, and you are looking for the length of "a"

Here's what you do:

a = sqrt(15^2-12^2)

andriod09 · Answer

yes, i know this. i don't know where to go after what i have. i have it all multiplied out, but i'm stuck there, i have this so far: $$a^2+255=144$$ which is $$a^2+15^2=12^2$$ multiplied out.

anonymous · Answer

No.

a^2 = 15^2-12^2

a^2 = 225-144

anonymous · Answer

a small hint: when two squares add, you'd always get a bigger number.. never smaller

andriod09 · Answer

again, i haven't done this in years dude. soz i'm a fail. i should have known this.

anonymous · Answer

S'okay...we're here to remind you...  :-)

anonymous · Answer

@qweqwe123123123123111 lets keep imaginaries outta here :P

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1366140997254:dw|