How to find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

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Math › How to find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle : Pythagorean Theorem

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1

Screen_shot_2013-03-18_at_10.21.29_pm

In the figure above, is a square and is three times the length of . What is the area of ?

Explanation

Assigning the length of ED the value of x, the value of AE will be 3_x_. That makes the entire side AD equal to 4_x_. Since the figure is a square, all four sides will be equal to 4_x_. Also, since the figure is a square, then angle A of triangle ABE is a right angle. That gives triangle ABE sides of 3_x_, 4_x_ and 10. Using the Pythagorean theorem:

(3_x_)2 + (4_x_)2 = 102

9_x_2 + 16_x_2 = 100

25_x_2 = 100

_x_2 = 4

x = 2

With x = 2, each side of the square is 4_x_, or 8. The area of a square is length times width. In this case, that's 8 * 8, which is 64.

2

In order to get to work, Jeff leaves home and drives 4 miles due north, then 3 miles due east, followed by 6 miles due north and, finally, 7 miles due east. What is the straight line distance from Jeff’s work to his home?

2√5

11

10√2

15

6√2

Explanation

Jeff drives a total of 10 miles north and 10 miles east. Using the Pythagorean theorem (a2+b2=c2), the direct route from Jeff’s home to his work can be calculated. 102+102=c2. 200=c2. √200=c. √100Ÿ√2=c. 10√2=c

3

A right triangle has legs of 15m and 20m. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

30m

45m

35m

40m

25m

Explanation

The Pythagorean theorem is a2 + b2 = c2, where a and b are legs of the right triangle, and c is the hypotenuse.

(15)2 + (20)2 = c2 so c2 = 625. Take the square root to get c = 25m

4

What is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with side lengths and ?

Explanation

The Pythagorean Theorem states that . This question gives us the values of and , and asks us to solve for .

Take and and plug them into the equation as and :

Now we can start solving for :

The length of the hypotenuse is .

5

Trig_id

If and , how long is side ?

Not enough information to solve

Explanation

This problem is solved using the Pythagorean theorem . In this formula and are the legs of the right triangle while is the hypotenuse.

Using the labels of our triangle we have:

6

Screen_shot_2013-09-16_at_11.16.22_am

Given the right triangle in the diagram, what is the length of the hypotenuse?

Explanation

To find the length of the hypotenuse use the Pythagorean Theorem:

Where and are the legs of the triangle, and is the hypotenuse.

The hypotenuse is 10 inches long.

7

Rt_triangle_letters

If angle , and , what is the value of ?

Explanation

Once we see that , we know that we're working with a right triangle and that will be the hypotenuse.

At this point we can use the Pythaogrean theorem () or, in this case: .

Plug in our given values to solve:

8

To get from his house to the hardware store, Bob must drive 3 miles to the east and then 4 miles to the north. If Bob was able to drive along a straight line directly connecting his house to the store, how far would he have to travel then?

5 miles

25 miles

9 miles

15 miles

7 miles

Explanation

Since east and north directions are perpendicular, the possible routes Bob can take can be represented by a right triangle with sides a and b of length 3 miles and 5 miles, respectively. The hypotenuse c represents the straight line connecting his house to the store, and its length can be found using the Pythagorean theorem: _c_2 = 32+ 42 = 25. Since the square root of 25 is 5, the length of the hypotenuse is 5 miles.

9

Explanation

10

You leave on a road trip driving due North from Savannah, Georgia, at 8am. You drive for 5 hours at 60mph and then head due East for 2 hours at 50mph. After those 7 hours, how far are you Northeast from Savannah as the crow flies (in miles)?

Explanation

Distance = hours * mph

North Distance = 5 hours * 60 mph = 300 miles

East Distance = 2 hours * 50 mph = 100 miles

Use Pythagorean Theorem to determine Northeast Distance

3002 + 1002 =NE2

90000 + 10000 = 100000 = NE2

NE = √100000

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