Question

youre trying to find the missing side length, or the value of b. what move could you make to get the b term, ( b^2 ), by itself on the left side of the equation while keeping the equation balanced?
( a^2 + b^2 = c^2 )
( 9^2 + b^2 = 15^2 )
( 81 + b^2 = 225 )
subtract 225 from both sides of the equation
subtract 81 from both sides of the equation
add 81 to both sides of the equation
( b = ? )
( c = 15 )
( a = 9 )

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the equation

We have the equation \(81 + b^{2}=225\). We want to isolate \(b^{2}\) on the left side.

Step2: Determine the operation

To isolate \(b^{2}\), we need to get rid of the \(81\) on the left side. Since \(81\) is added to \(b^{2}\), we use the inverse operation of addition, which is subtraction. So we subtract \(81\) from both sides of the equation. This will give us \(b^{2}=225 - 81\), which isolates \(b^{2}\) on the left side while keeping the equation balanced.

Answer:

Subtract 81 from both sides of the equation