Using the pythagorean theorem, how do you solve for the missing side given a = 18 and b = 16?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-27T14:53:52

See the entire solution process below:

The Pythagorean Theorem states:

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

#c# is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

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

Assuming the lengths of the sides given in the problem are for a right triangle you solve for #c# by substituting and calculating #c#:

#c^2 = 18^2 + 16^2#

#c^2 = 324 + 256#

#c^2 = 580#

#sqrt(c^2) = sqrt(580)#

#c = sqrt(580) = 24.083#

The length of the missing side or hypotenuse is:

#sqrt(580)# or #24.083# rounded to the nearest thousandth