Question

Using the Pythagorean theorem how would you find B if A =12 and c=17?

Answer 1

Depending on which side is the hypotenuse,

`b = sqrt145, or b = sqrt 433`

Explanation:

It is not clear from the question which side is the hypotenuse.
The sides are usually given as either AB or `c` and not A or B which indicate points.

Let's consider both cases.

"If c is the hypotenuse"

`a^2 + b^2 = c^2 " "rArr b^2 = c^2 - a^2`

`b^2 = 17^2 - 12^2`

`b^2 = 145`

`b = sqrt145 = 12.04`
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If `c` is NOT the hypotenuse.

`b^2 = a^2 + c^2`

`b^2 = 12^2 + 17^2`

`b^2 = 433`

`b= sqrt 433 = 20.81`