Question

How do you use the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse if one leg is 34 and the other leg is 18?

Answer 1

`c=38.47` to two decimal points.

Explanation:

The Pythagorean theorem states that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Algebraically, it is `color(blue)(c^2=a^2+b^2`, where `c` is the hypotenuse and `a and b` are the other two sides.

Known
`a=18`
`b=34`

Unknown: `c`

Solution
Plug the known values for `a and b` into the equation.

`c^2=18^2+34^2`

Simplify.

`c^2=324+1156`

Simplify.

`c^2=1480`

Take the square root of both sides.

`sqrt(c^2)=sqrt1480`

`c=38.47` to two decimal points