How do you use the pythagorean theorem to solve for the missing side given a = 5, c = 19?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-24T13:48:23

See a solution process below:

The Pythagorean Theorem states:"

#a^2 + b^2 = c^2#

Where:

#a# and #b# are sides of a right triangle.

#x# is the hypotenuse of the the right triangle.

Substituting and solving for #b# gives:

#5^2 + b^2 = 19^2#

#25 + b^2 = 361#

#25 - color(red)(25) + b^2 = 361 - color(red)(25)#

#0 + b^2 = 336#

#b^2 = 336#

#sqrt(b^2) = sqrt(336)#

#b = sqrt(336)#

#b = sqrt(16 * 21)#

#b = sqrt(16) * sqrt(21)#

#b = 4sqrt(21)#

Or

#b = 18.330# rounded to the nearest thousandth.