Question

In a right triangle the length of a hypotenuse is c and the length of one leg is a, and the length of the other leg is b, what is the value of b, if

c=2b, a=12?

Answer 1

b = 4√3

using Pythagoras' identity in the given triangle

c² = a² + b² ( substitute c = 2b and a = 12 into the equation )

(2b)² = 12² + b²

4b² = 144 + b² ( subtract b² from both sides )

4b² - b² = 144

3b² = 144 ( divide both sides by 3 )

b² = 48 ( take the square root of both sides )

b = √48 = √( 16 × 3 ) = √16 × √3 = 4√3 ' exact value '