Question

If c is the measure of the hypotenuse of a right triangle, how do you find each missing measure given a=x-32, b=x-1, c=x?

Answer 1

`a=9, b=40, c=41`

Explanation:

`c^2=a^2+b^2`
`x^2=(x-32)^2+(x-1)^2`
`x^2=x^2-64x+1024+x^2-2x+1`
`x^2=2x^2-66x+1025`
`0=x^2-66x+1025`
`0=(x-25)(x-41)`

`x=25 and 41`
Since the unit of length cannot be -ve, then `x=41` only
e.g, `a=x-32`, if we take `x=25, a=-7`(-ve value).

Therefore,
`a=41-32=9, b=41-1=40, c=41`