Question

the lengths of the legs of the right triangle are 12cm and 16cm. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

Answer 1

A. 22
B. 28
c. 4
D. 20

Answer 2

I think that the answer is 28.

Answer 3

you must be studying Pythagoras

for th e3 sides of a triangle Pythagoras equation tells you t hat

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

you are told a and b in th equestion so use the equation to work out c (the hypotenuse)

(it is not 28)

Answer 4

So how do i get the hypotenuse?

Answer 5

There are two ways to solve this problem. One way would be to use the Pythagorean Triples, or just to use the Pythagorean Formula.

I would focus on Pythagorean Triples because I think that for this problem it would be easier to do. Pythagorean Triples are sets that you might need to memorize but the most basic set includes 3-4-5. The numbers 3 and 4 are the lengths of the legs, and the number 5 is the hypotenuse. Note that 3-4-5 can be derived after you simplify the given lengths of a similar right triangle.

In this case, the lengths of the legs are 12cm and 16cm. Now I ask for you to simplify these two numbers with their GCF (greatest common factor). What would you get?

Answer 6

4?

Answer 7

Yes their GCF is 4. Divide both 12 and 16 by 4. What quotients do you get?

Answer 8

well - you are STUDYING pthagoras

so USE the equation I gave above

do not use @calculusxy answer - it only applies in veryu special cases - you should use the equation#

you know what a and b are so put them in th eequation and work out c

Answer 9

I think that you get the same answer @MrNood

Answer 10

so 3+4?

Answer 11

No don't add them. I just asked for you to find the quotients.

Answer 12

sure yo udo
but the method is more importasnt than th eanswer here

troples are a special case and he obviosly has not yet got the basic equation worked out

Answer 13

^^ soz for typos

Answer 14

Remember when I was talking about Pythagorean Triples and how one of the most basic set is 3-4-5? 3 and 4 are the legs and 5 is the hypotenuse.

When you simplified 12 and 16, you got 3 (12/4) and 4 (16/4). Do you see how you have already got the 3 and 4 in the 3-4-5 set?

Answer 15

so is the answer c?

Answer 16

No. You need to find the hypotenuse.

Answer 17

It is more important that you understand the pythagoras equation

do NOT guess
use the equation

Answer 18

3-4-5
(3 x 4) - (4 x 4) - (5 x 4)
12 - 16 - ?

Answer 19

4

Answer 20

Do you see how I got 12 and 16 by multiplying 3 and 4 by 4?

Answer 21

I get the feeling that @kinglogan12 you are not trying to make any effort

I'll let you wait until @calculusxy gives the answer - then wait for your NEXT question that you will not be able to answer because you didn't try to use th eformula

Answer 22

Yes, but I still am having trouble understanding how to solve the equation :\

Answer 23

@kinglogan12 As @MrNood said, use the Pythagorean Triple in special cases. You may search up in Google when you should use them if you'd like. The Pythagorean Formula is the one that is the main thing in here. I am just suggesting to you an easier method.

Answer 24

im so confused :\

Answer 25

a= 12
b =16

c= unknown

\[a ^{2} + b ^{2} = c ^{2}\]

put a and b into that equation

write the equation here - leaving c in the equation as an unknown...

Answer 26

Just follow what @MrNood is doing. I think that that will be easier. Once you get the hang of the Pythagorean Formula, then you should be able to understand the Pythagorean Triple soon.