geometry · worked example

Solve right triangle with legs 8 and 15

Method: Pythagorean theorem. Verified step-by-step solution with our free AI math solver.
Problem

a2+b2=c2, a=8, b=15a^2 + b^2 = c^2,\ a=8,\ b=15

Step-by-step solution

  1. Identify the legs: a=8a = 8, b=15b = 15.

  2. Apply Pythagorean theorem: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.

  3. Substitute: 82+152=64+225=2898^2 + 15^2 = 64 + 225 = 289.

  4. Take positive square root: c=289=17c = \sqrt{289} = 17.

  5. (8,15,17)(8, 15, 17) is another primitive Pythagorean triple — coprime triple not generated by scaling.

Answer

c=17c = 17

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