Algebra help! Word problem?

dumbledore

The shorter leg of a triangle measures 120 meters. The hypotenuse is 40 meters longer than the length of a longer leg. How long is the longer leg?

thank you!!!

anonymous

s = shorter leg = 120m

l = longer " = xm

h = hypotenus = (x+40)m

using pythagoras,

h^2 = l^2 + s^2

(x+40)^2 = x^2 + 120^2

x^2 + 80x + 1600 = x^2 + 14400

80x + 1600 = 14400

80x = 14400 - 1600

80x = 12800

x = 160m

math-h

Let the longer leg be L

The hypotenuse = L + 40

(L + 40)^2 = L^2 + (120^2)

L^2 + 80L + 1600 = L^2 + 14400

80L = 14400 - 1600

80L = 12800

L = 12800/80 = 160 meters

The length of the longer leg is 160 meters

shastadasta813

a^2+b^2=c^2

swagga