What is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the two other sides are of lengths 8 and 1?

1 Answer
Apr 14, 2016

sqrt(65)65

Explanation:

In the picture below, the Pythagorean Theorem tells us that:

a^2+b^2=c^2a2+b2=c2

![http://www.algebra-class.com/http://pythagorean-theorem.html](https://useruploads.socratic.org/pq5TPYPSoa2h8zhrbXqS_pythagoras1.gif)

If we apply this theorem to the given question, then:

a=8a=8

b=1b=1

c=?c=?

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, start by rearranging the equation in terms of cc. Then substitute your known values into the equation.

a^2+b^2=c^2a2+b2=c2

c=sqrt(a^2+b^2)c=a2+b2

c=sqrt(8^2+1^2)c=82+12

Solve.

c=sqrt(64+1)c=64+1

color(green)(|bar(ul(color(white)(a/a)c=sqrt(65)color(white)(a/a)|)))

:., the length of the hypotenuse is sqrt(65).