Question

Andrew claims that a wooden bookend in the shape of a 45°- 45°- 90° right triangle has side lengths of 5 in., 5 in., and 8 in. Is he correct? If so, show the work and if not, show why not.

Answer 1

Andrew is wrong.

Explanation:

If we are dealing with a right triangle, then we can apply the pythagorean theorem, which states that `a^2+b^2=h^2`
where `h` is the triangle's hypotenuse, and `a` and `b` the two other sides.

Andrew claims that `a=b=5`in. and `h=8`in.
`5^2+5^2 = 25+25 = 50`
`8^2 = 64 !=50`

Therefore, the triangle's measures given by Andrew are wrong.