Question

Jack and Andrea want to create a right triangle together using values of x and y and the polynomial identity to generate Pythagorean triples. If Andrea picks a value of x = 2, and the hypotenuse of the resulting right triangle is 5, what natural number value of y did Jack pick?

Answer 1

Pythagorean theorem \[\large\rm a^2+b^2=c^2\]
hypotenuse is the longest side of right triangle which is C in the Pythagorean theorem equation
so just plug in values

Answer 2

doesn't matter which side u pick for x=2 either base or the opposite side
but the hypotenuse should be the longest