CPM Homework Help : MC2 Problem 9-109

The hypotenuse and one leg of a right triangle are $65$ and $60$ meters. What is the length of the third side?

Hint:

Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

Step 1:

$(\text{leg } 1)^2 + (\text{leg } 2)^2 = (\text{ hypotenuse})^2$
Substitute $65$ for the hypotenuse and $60$ for leg $1$ .

Step 2:

$(60)^2 + (\text{leg } 2)^2 = (65)^2$
Now simplify.

Step 3:

$3600 + (\text{leg } 2)^2 = 4225$
$-3600$ $-3600$
$(\text{leg } 2)^2 = 625$
Take the square root of each side.

$\sqrt{(\text{leg}\; 2)^{2}} = \sqrt{625}$

Answer:

$\text{leg } 2 = 25$ meters