In a right- angled triangle, the shortest sides are 5 and 12. How do you find the perimeter of the triangle?

1 Answer

The perimeter of the triangle is 30 units.

Explanation:

You have to use the "Pythagorean theorem " in order to find the greatest side / Hypotenuse of the triangle .

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Pythagorean theorem states that - " The sum of the squares of the smaller sides of a right angled triangle is equal to the square of the greatest side / hypotenuse of right angled triangle ".

Let the third side be 'x'

So ,

#x^2 = 5^2 + 12^2#

#x^2 = 25 + 144 #

#x^2 = 169#

#x = sqrt(169)#

#x = 13#

The greatest side / hypotenuse of the triangle = 13

The perimeter of a triangle = Sum of all sides

#= 5 + 12 +13#

#= 30#