How do you use the pythagorean theorem to solve for the missing side given a = 5, c = 19?

1 Answer
Aug 24, 2017

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

The Pythagorean Theorem states:"

a^2 + b^2 = c^2a2+b2=c2

Where:

aa and bb are sides of a right triangle.

xx is the hypotenuse of the the right triangle.

Substituting and solving for bb gives:

5^2 + b^2 = 19^252+b2=192

25 + b^2 = 36125+b2=361

25 - color(red)(25) + b^2 = 361 - color(red)(25)2525+b2=36125

0 + b^2 = 3360+b2=336

b^2 = 336b2=336

sqrt(b^2) = sqrt(336)b2=336

b = sqrt(336)b=336

b = sqrt(16 * 21)b=1621

b = sqrt(16) * sqrt(21)b=1621

b = 4sqrt(21)b=421

Or

b = 18.330b=18.330 rounded to the nearest thousandth.