Question

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 12, and one
of the legs is 4. Find the length of
the missing leg to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

We know that the hypotenuse is the C value
and 4 can be either A or B
We need to use the Pythagorean theorem to figure out the missing length
\[\huge~\rm\bf~a^2+b^2=c^2 \]
When we plug in the numbers we get this:
\[\huge~\rm~4^2+b^2=12^2\]
Try solving for b :-)

Answer 2

4^2=16
12^2=144 so know i just have to find the amount that goes between those 2?

Answer 3

Not quite ok now that you found those numbers
\[\huge~\rm~\bf~16+b^2=144\]
We want to isolate b like get it by itself
Any ideas on what we should do?

Answer 4

im not quite sure im just now really getting to know this topic

Answer 5

I see since we want to get b by it self we would subtract 16 from both sides
\[\huge~\rm~\bf~b^2+16−16=144−16\]
what are we left with?

Answer 6

doesnt the first part cancel out since you're subtracting 16

Answer 7

Yes :) now you have 144=16=?

Answer 8

128

Answer 9

Good
\[\huge~\rm~b^2=128\]
To get b by itself we need to square root both sides
\[\huge~\rm~\bf~\sqrt{b^2}=\sqrt{128}\]
Now we have
\[\huge~\rm~\bf~b=\sqrt{128}\
since your question asks for a decimal form what is the square root of 128?

Answer 10

11.31 thats if its rounded to the nearest hundredth

Answer 11

That is correct :-)

Answer 12

thanks

Answer 13

yw ^_^