Question

How do i solve for a right triangle?

Answer 1

Solving the right triangle is finding all the unknown lengths and angle measures.

Explanation:

The measure of angle Q is 45 degrees (a triangle's angle measures must add up to 180 degrees).

`180-90-45=45 rarr` 180 degrees (total) minus the other two angle degrees

This is a special (isosceles) right triangle (45-45-90), so the two legs are the same.

The ratio of the sides (leg:leg:hypotenuse) in this type of special right triangle is `1:1:sqrt2`. The hypotenuse is found by multiplying `sqrt2` by the length of one of the legs. To find the length of the legs, divide the hypotenuse by `sqrt2`.

`8/sqrt2 rarr` Rationalize the denominator

`(8sqrt2)/2`

`4sqrt2 rarr` Length of sides QS and RS.