Find the length of the missing side?. The triangle is not drawn to scale.

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1 Answer
Mar 29, 2018

#b=8#

Explanation:

Pythagorean Triple: #8,15,17# therefore the side length of the leg is #8#

Or:

Use Pythagorean theorem:
#a^2+b^2=c^2#
#b^2=c^2-a^2#
#b= +-sqrt(c^2-a^2)#
#b= +-sqrt((17)^2-(15)^2)#
#b= +-sqrt(289-225)#
#b= +-sqrt(64)#
#b= +-8#

Since distance can't be negative: #b=8#