Question

Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the leg in the triangle below 15, 39

Answer 1

Given the triangle:

The Pythagorean Theorem states that:

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

From the figure, we identify:

$\begin{gathered} a=15 \\ c=39 \end{gathered}$

Now, using the Pythagorean Theorem:

$\begin{gathered} 15^2+b^2=39^2 \\ 225+b^2=1521 \\ b^2=1295 \\ \Rightarrow b=36 \end{gathered}$