The hypotenuse of a right triangle measures 29cm. One leg is 1cm shorter than the other. What are the lengths of the legs?
Answers (2)
A^2 + B^2 = C^2
Given: B = A + 1, C = 29
A^2 + (A + 1)^2 = 841
A^2 + A^2 + 2A + 1 = 841
2A^2 + 2A - 840 = 0
A^2 + A - 420 = 0
Negative b is the place to start,
Plus or minus will show you're smart,
The radical sits so gent-i-ly,
On b square minus 4ac
Now we're done ... except to say,
The whole thing sits on top of 2a
A = (-1 ±v(1 + 1680))/2
A = -21, 20 B = -20, 21
CHECK: www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=solve+x%5E2+%2B+x+-+420+%3D+0
