PreCalculus - 8.1.1

[logistic_guy]

\(\displaystyle \textcolor{indigo}{\bold{Solve.}}\)

In a right triangle, if the length of the hypotenuse is \(\displaystyle 5\) and the length of one of the other sides is \(\displaystyle 3\), what is the length of the third side?

 

[mathdad]

I never forgot (leg)^2 + (leg)^2 = (hyp)^2.

(leg)^2 + (3)^2 = (5)^2

(leg)^2 + 9 = 25

(leg)^2 = 25 - 9

(leg)^2 = 16

After taking the square root on both sides, I get leg = -4 and leg = 4. I reject leg = -4 because length must be positive.

Answer: leg = 4

P. S. Knowing how to solve this does not mean that I am ready for Calculus 1.