Explanation: 50 yards is the hypotenuse. So, a^2+ b^2=c^2 a^2+30^2=50^2 Solve the exponents a^2+900=2500 Subtract 900 from both sides a^2= 1600 Opposite of squared is square root so find the square root of 1600. a=40 a is the missing side length If you wish to prove this stamens simple plug 40 into a in the original equation like so:
40^2+30^2=50^2 Solve exponents 1600+900=2500 Solve 2500=2500 Since the statement is true the answer is correct.