Given:
In a right angle triangle,
Perpendicular = 8 units
Base = x units
Hypotenuse = 17 units
To find:
The exact value of x.
Solution:
The given triangles is a right angle triangle. So, side lengths form a Pythagorean triplet.
[tex](Hypotenuse)^2=(Base)^2+(Perpendicular)^2[/tex]
[tex](17)^2=(x)^2+(8)^2[/tex]
[tex]289=x^2+64[/tex]
[tex]289-64=x^2[/tex]
[tex]225=x^2[/tex]
Taking square root on both sides.
[tex]\pm \sqrt{225}=x[/tex]
[tex]\pm 15=x[/tex]
Side cannot be negative. So, [tex]x=15[/tex].
Therefore, the required value is [tex]x=15[/tex] and yes, the side lengths form a Pythagorean triplet, i.e., (8,15,17).
