The hypotenuse of a right triangle measures 13 centimeters. find the lengths of the legs if their sum is 17 centimeters

Question

solomonzelman · Answer

$$a^2+b^2=c^2$$

c is the hypotenuse.
a   and   b   are the legs.

Say that leg a is  x    and  leg   b is  17-x.

Can you find the legs now?

So you have
$$x^2 + (17-x)^2=13^2$$

More help?

solomonzelman · Answer

$$x^2+289-34x+x^2= 169$$
$$2x^2-34x+289=169$$
$$2x^2-34x=169-289$$
$$2x^2-34x=-120$$
or you can have 120 on the other side,
$$2x^2-34x+120=0$$
factor the equation out of  2, in other words divide entire equation (everything in it) by 2.
$$x^2-17x+60=0$$
$$Can+You+Solve+It+Now+?$$

anonymous · Answer

yes, thank you it took a few min.