Question

What is the value of x. Enter your answer in the box.
A triangle with 3 sides that's a right triangle the longest one is 24 then 7 then x. What is x
X=___

Answer 1

Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the missing side:

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

We already know two sides, so plug those into the equation. The longest side will be c:

$a = 7, c = 24$

$7^{2} + b^{2} = 24^{2}$

$49 + b^{2} = 576$

Subtract 49 from both sides.

$b^{2} = 527$

Square root both sides to get b by itself:

$\sqrt{527} = 22.9564$

$b = 22.9564$

The value of x is 22.9564.

Answer 2

Use the Pythagorean Theorem: a² + b² = c².
a and b are the legs, c is the hypotenuse.

Refer to the picture :) I just drew a standard right triangle, *not to scale*.
The hypotenuse is always the longest side of a right triangle, so I plugged in 24 for c. I plugged in x and 7 for a and b.

x² + 7² = 24²
Square 7 and 24.

x² + 49 = 576
Subtract 49 from both sides.

x² = 527
Square root both sides to isolate and find x.

x = 23