How do you use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the missing side of the triangle given: b = 5, c = 8?

Question

Nathan Axel · Accepted Answer

If 8 is the hypotenuse than side #a=sqrt(39)#

If 8 is not the hypotenuse than sude #a=sqrt(89)# You have not declared if the triangle is a right triangle ( has a 90 degree angle) nor have you declared if the side c is the hypotenuse or not. However, by including the use of Pythagoras you have implied it is a right triangle. Let the unknown side be labeled #a# #color(blue)("Assumption 1: It is a right triangle and 8 is the hypotenuse")# #=>a^2=8^2-5^2" " =" " 64-25" "=" "39# #a=sqrt(39)# '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #color(blue)("Assumption 2: It is a right triangle and 8 is not the hypotenuse")# #->a^2=8^2+5^2 =89# #=>a=sqrt(89)#

Abigail Allen · Answer

undefined To find the missing side of a triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem, you can use the formula a^2 + b^2 = c^2. In this case, if b = 5 and c = 8, you can substitute these values into the formula and solve for a. It would look like this: a^2 + 5^2 = 8^2. Simplifying, you get a^2 + 25 = 64. Subtracting 25 from both sides gives you a^2 = 39. Finally, taking the square root of both sides, you find that a is approximately equal to 6.24.