Using the pythagorean theorem, how do you solve for the missing side given a = 20 and b = 21?
1 Answer
Jul 8, 2017
Explanation:
Pythagoras' theorem tells us that the square of the length of the hypotenuse (
That is:
#c^2 = a^2+b^2#
So in our example:
#c^2 = color(blue)(20)^2+color(blue)(21)^2 = 400+441 = 841 = color(blue)(29)^2#
Hence:
#c = 29#
Pythagoras' formula is equivalent to:
#c = sqrt(a^2+b^2)#
and:
#a = sqrt(c^2-b^2)#
