Question

For a right triangle ABC with right angle C, if AC = 4 and AB = 5, what is the length of BC in simplified form?

Answer 1

Draw a diagram to answer this question

Explanation:

Use pythagorean theorem to find the length of BC:
Say that BC = a
`a^2` + `b^2` = `c^2`
`a^2` = `c^2` - `b^2`
`a^2` = `5^2` - `4^2`
`a^2` = 25 - 16
`a^2` = 9
a = √9
a = 3

BC measures 4 cm