The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10 inches. The shorter leg is 10 inches less than twice the longer leg. Find the lengths of the two legs.

This is what I have so far

(2x - 10)^2 +(x)^2 =10^2

Question

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10 inches. The shorter leg is 10 inches less than twice the longer leg. Find the lengths of the two legs. 

This is what I have so far

(2x - 10)^2 +(x)^2 =10^2

anonymous · Answer

Ok

Let us take the length of the longer leg as x

So the length of the shorter leg would be 2x-10

So, according to pythagoras theorem,

(2x - 10)^2 +(x)^2 =10^2

4x^2 + 100 - 40x + x^2 = 100

5x^2 - 40x = 0

So x can assume two values. 

0 or 8.

But, the side of a triangle can't be 0

So , length of longer leg would be 8

length of shorter leg would be 16-10 = 6

Hope you're satisfied with the answer