Using the pythagorean theorem, how do you solve for the missing side given a = 18 and b = 16?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-27T14:53:52

See the entire solution process below:

The Pythagorean Theorem states:

$c^{=} a^{2} + b^{2}$ $c^ = a^2 + b^2$ where

$c$ $c$ is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

$a$ $a$ and $b$ $b$ are the lengths of the sides of a right triangle.

Assuming the lengths of the sides given in the problem are for a right triangle you solve for $c$ $c$ by substituting and calculating $c$ $c$ :

$c^{2} = 18^{2} + 16^{2}$ $c^2 = 18^2 + 16^2$

$c^{2} = 324 + 256$ $c^2 = 324 + 256$

$c^{2} = 580$ $c^2 = 580$

$\sqrt{c^{2}} = \sqrt{580}$ $sqrt(c^2) = sqrt(580)$

$c = \sqrt{580} = 24.083$ $c = sqrt(580) = 24.083$

The length of the missing side or hypotenuse is:

$\sqrt{580}$ $sqrt(580)$ or $24.083$ $24.083$ rounded to the nearest thousandth