Using the pythagorean theorem, how do you solve for the missing side given a = 10 and b = 20?

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Answer 1 · 2018-03-11T12:09:18

See a solution process below:

The Pythagorean Theorem states, for a right triangle:

#c^2 = a^2 + b^2#

Substituting for #a# and #b# and solving for #c# gives:

#c^2 = 10^2 + 20^2#

#c^2 = 100 + 400#

#c^2 = 500#

#sqrt(c^2) = sqrt(500)#

#c = sqrt(100 * 5)#

#c = sqrt(100)sqrt(5)#

#c = 10sqrt(5)#