Answer:10.2 inches
Step-by-step explanation:
we know that
In this problem we have two cases
First case
The given lengths are two legs of the right triangle
so
Applying the Pythagoras Theorem
Find the length of the hypotenuse
substitute
Second case
The given lengths are one leg and the hypotenuse
so
Applying the Pythagoras Theorem
Find the length of the other leg
substitute
Find the difference between the two possible lengths of the third side of the triangle
so
Answer:
The difference between the two possible lengths for the third side of the triangle is about 10.21 inches.
Step-by-step explanation:
We are given that the lengths of two sides of a right triangle is 12 inches and 15 inches.
And we want to find the difference between the two possible lengths of the third side.
In the first case, assume that neither 12 nor 15 is the hypotenuse of the triangle. Then our third side c must follow the Pythagorean Theorem:
[tex]a^2+b^2=c^2[/tex]
Substitute in known values:
[tex](12)^2+(15)^2=c^2[/tex]
Solve for c:
[tex]c=\sqrt{12^2+15^2}=\sqrt{369}=\sqrt{9\cdot 41}=3\sqrt{41}[/tex]
In the second case, we will assume that one of the given lengths is the hypotenuse. Since the hypotenuse is always the longest side, the hypotenuse will be 15. Again, by the Pythagorean Theorem:
[tex]a^2+b^2=c^2[/tex]
Substitute in known values:
[tex](12)^2+b^2=(15)^2[/tex]
Solve for b:
[tex]b=\sqrt{15^2-12^2}=\sqrt{81}=9[/tex]
Therefore, the difference between the two possible lengths for the third side is:
[tex]\displaystyle \text{Difference}=(3\sqrt{41})-(9)\approx 10.21\text{ inches}[/tex]
