Multiple choice

In a right triangle, the length of hypotenuse is 8 cm more than the shorter leg. If the longer leg measures 12 cm, how long is the shorter leg?

  1. 5 cm

  2. 7 cm

  3. 12 cm

  4. 13 cm
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Let the shorter leg be x. The hypotenuse is x + 8. By the Pythagorean theorem, x^2 + 12^2 = (x + 8)^2. Expanding gives x^2 + 144 = x^2 + 16x + 64. Solving 16x = 80 yields x = 5.

AI explanation

Let the shorter leg be x cm, making the hypotenuse x + 8 cm. By the Pythagorean theorem, x squared plus 12 squared equals x plus 8 squared, which gives x squared plus 144 equals x squared plus 16x plus 64. Solving 16x equals 80 yields x equals 5. The length of the shorter leg is 5 cm.

Keep practicing — related questions