IXL | Pythagorean theorem: find the missing leg or hypotenuse length

What is the length of the missing leg? If necessary, round to the nearest tenth.

miles

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Learn with an example

What is the length of the missing leg? If necessary, round to the nearest tenth.

yards

In a right triangle,

where

and

are the lengths of the legs and

is the length of the hypotenuse. This is called the Pythagorean theorem.

Use the Pythagorean theorem, with

and

Pythagorean theorem

Plug in

and

Plug in

and

3,969

Square

4,225

Square

Subtract 3,969 from both sides

256

Subtract 3,969 from both sides

Take the square root of both sides

256

Take the square root of both sides

Simplify

The length of the missing leg is 16 yards.

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