How do you find the length of the missing side given a=19 b=? c=26?

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-03T22:59:59

$b = 17.74$

We need to use the Pythagorean Theorem:

![ccancientgreece.tumblr.com]( useruploads.socratic.org )

The hypotenuse (c=26) and one of the legs (a=19) are known, so all we have to do is solve for b. We can do that by plugging in our known values:

$19^2+b^2=26^2$

$19^2$ or $19xx19$ = 361
$26^2$ or $26xx26$ = 676

Thus, $361+b^2=676$ . Now subtract 361 from both sides of the equation to get $b^2$ by itself:

$361+b^2=676$
-361 -361

You should end up with:

$b^2=315$

Next, take the square root of both sides to find b. The square root
( $sqrt$ ) is the inverse of the square ( $b^2$ )

$sqrt (b^2) = sqrt315$

Therefore, b = 17.74

You can check your answer by plugging a and c into the equation and solve for b to see if your answer matches the given value of b:

$19^2+17.74^2=26^2$