Question

square roots and right triangles
what is the length of the missing leg in this right triangle?
26 mm
18 mm
32 mm
24 mm

Explanation:

Step1: Apply Pythagorean theorem

In a right - triangle, \(a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}\), where \(c\) is the hypotenuse. Let the missing leg be \(a\), one leg \(b = 7\) mm and hypotenuse \(c=25\) mm. Then \(a^{2}=c^{2}-b^{2}\).

Step2: Substitute values

\(a^{2}=25^{2}-7^{2}\).
\(a^{2}=625 - 49\).
\(a^{2}=576\).

Step3: Find square root

\(a=\sqrt{576}\).
\(a = 24\) mm.

Answer:

24 mm