Question

a 2 + b 2 = c 2 Complete the equation below by writing an expression equivalent to the length of a, the leg of a right triangle.
a=square root [ ] - [ ]

Answer 1

Answer:

$a=\sqrt{c^2-b^2}$

Step-by-step explanation:

Subtract b² from both sides of the equation.

a² = c² -b²

Now, take the square root of both sides of the equation.

a = √(c² -b²)

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Please note that when writing the square root (or any function) in plain text, it only applies to the first operand after the function name. That is ...

square root [ ] - [ ]

is evaluated as ...

(square root [ ]) - [ ]

If you want an entire expression to be considered to be "under the radical", then it must be enclosed in parentheses:

square root ([ ] -[ ])

This is the interpretation demanded by the Order of Operations. It can only be modified by using parentheses.