Question

) In a right triangle, a and b are the lengths of the legs and c is the length of the

hypotenuse. If b = 5.4 millimeters and c= 8.3 millimeters, what is a? If necessary, round to

the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

Answer:

  6.3 mm

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pythagorean theorem tells you ...

  c^2 = a^2 + b^2

Solving for "a", you get

  a = √(c^2 -b^2)

  a = √(8.3^2 -5.4^2) = √39.73

  a ≈ 6.3 . . . . mm

The length of "a" is about 6.3 mm.

Answer 2

Answer:

If b is equal to 5.4 millimeters and c is equal to 8.3 millimeters, then a has to be equal to 6.3 millimeters.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Know the Pythagorean Theorem

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

2. Rearrange the equation so we can find a.

$a^2=c^2-b^2$

3. Plug in the numbers for b and c because that is what we are given in the problem.

$a^2=8.3^2-5.4^2$

4. Simplify the expressions.

$a^2=68.89-29.16$

5. Subtract 29.16 from 68.89.

$a^2=39.73$

6. Square root the expressions on both sides of the equation.

$\sqrt{a^2}=\sqrt{39.73}$

7. Simplify the equation.

$a=6.3$