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evey
Lv 4
evey asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 1 decade ago

quick algebra question please?

The length of the hypotenuse of a right triange is 3m longer than the longer leg. The longer leg is 6m longer than twice the length of the shorter leg. Find the dimensions of the triangle.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    imagine the length of longer leg equal x . The length of hypotenuse will be 3+x

    & the length of shorter leg will be x-6

    Now according of Pythagoras rule we have this sentence : ( 3+x )^2 = (x)^2 + ( x-6 )^2

    Now solve the sentence like below :

    ( 3+x )^2 = (x)^2 + ( x-6 )^2

    ------> 9 + x^2 + 6x = x^2 + x^2 - 12x + 36

    ------> x^2 - 18x - 27 = 0

    ------> solve the Equation : ( 18 ± (radical ( 324 + 108 )) / 2

    ------> x have to two answers but in geometry we just accept positive answers,

    and that answer is x = 19.35

    So long leg is 19.35 , short leg is 13.35 & hypotenuse is 22.35

  • 1 decade ago

    H=3+L

    L=6+2S

    where H=hypotenuse, L=long leg, S=short leg.

    Since it's a right triangle, then

    L^2+S^2=H^2

    Put all lengths in terms of S.

    (6+2S)^2+S^2=(3+6+2S)^2

    (36+24S+4S^2)+S^2=(81+36S+4S^2)

    5S^2+24S+36=4S^2+36S+81

    S^2-12S-45=0

    (S-15)(S+3)=0

    S=-3, 15

    Since S is a length, a negative value would not make sense.

    S=15

    L=6+2S=36

    H=3+L=39

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