if the two legs have lenght 10 ins how long is the hypotenus

Question

if the two legs have lenght  10 ins how long is the hypotenus

imstuck · Answer

Are you familiar with Pythagorean's Theorem?

mathmate · Answer

Also check if the given triangle is a right-triangle, i.e. the included angle is indeed 90 degrees

imstuck · Answer

Well if it has a hypotenuse, it is a right triangle.

marissalovescats · Answer

Welcome to OpenStudy @paeng!

ipwnbunnies · Answer

Doesn't 'hypotenuse' imply it's a right triangle?

mathmate · Answer

Thank you for your comments, and you all have a point.
However, it's never too cautious to check when you have seen the number of students actually apply Pythagoras Theorem to arbitrary triangles.

marissalovescats · Answer

I'd say if the question is asking for the hypotenuse, then it's a right triangle. Especially if he doesn't have a picture, and just a statement.

mathmale · Answer

IMStuck ("Well if it has a hypotenuse, it is a right triangle") and marissalovescats (above) are correct.  Out of curiosity and desire to know, I looked up "hypotenuse" on the 'Net and found that that word does indeed apply only to RIGHT triangles.  When in doubt, look up the word or concept, please.

mathmale · Answer

So, the triangle at hand is an isosceles right triangle, whose shorter legs both have length 10 inches.  Find the length of the hypotenuse, please.

anonymous · Answer

Use Pythagoras bro....P^2 + B^2=H^2....
Sorry Moderator can I solve this ???

mathmate · Answer

@mathmale 
The meaning of the word has never been disputed.  What was being discussed was why should it be questioned, and I explained why.

mathmale · Answer

Or, in other words, it's imperative that would-be problem solvers determine whether or not the triangles they're trying to solve are right triangles.  I'm with you; no conflict there.

anonymous · Answer

@mathmale  Can I just solve this thing.... We are doing all sorts of discussions and not just helping Paeng... here

mathmate · Answer

@mathmale thank you!  :)

mathmate · Answer

@paeng are you there?

mathmate · Answer

@paeng
Sorry about the lengthy problem not directly related to your problem.
If you have read between the lines, the suggestions to solve the problem are the following:
1. If the triangle is a right angled triangle, you can use Pythagoras Theorem
$$x^2+y^2=z^2$$
where z is the hypotenuse, and x, y are the lengths of the legs.
Would you be able to solve for the hypotenuse?