Question

how to solve pythagorean theorem when a is missing
a=x
b=17
c=15

Answer 1

Answer:

a^2 = c^2 - b^2

to get A though you need to take the square root.

Step-by-step explanation:

you need to rearrange the formula to get a by itself.

c^2 = a^2 + b^2

a^2 = c^2 - b^2

to get A though you need to take the square root.

Answer 2

Answer:

the Pythagorean theorem is

$a ^{2} + b {}^{2} = c {}^{2}$

so plug in the numbers

$a ^{2} + 17 {}^{2} = 15 {}^{2}$

then square each of the known numbers to get

$a {}^{2} + 289 = 225$

subtract 289 from 225 to get -64

then you are left with

$a {}^{2} = - 64$

then take the square root of -64

to get -8