If the two legs of a right triangle are 5 and 4, what is the length of the hypotenuse?
1 Answer
Feb 16, 2016
#sqrt41 ≈ 6.4#
Explanation:
Pythagoras' Theorem states' the square on the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares on the other 2 sides'
If the hypotenuse is h , and the other 2 sides a and b , then
# h^2 = a^2 + b^2# here a = 5 and b = 4
hence
# h^2 = 5^2 + 4^2 = 25 + 16 = 41# now
# h^2 = 41 rArr h =sqrt41 ≈ 6.4 #
