Solve.
-A lot is in the shape of a right triangle. The shorter leg measures 180 m. The hypotenuse is 60 m longer than the length of the longer leg. How long is the longer leg?
A)300 m
B)240 m
C)360 m
D)180 m

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let's call the longer leg "x". According to the problem, the hypotenuse is "60 m longer than the length of the longer leg", which means it's x+60. We can use the Pythagorean theorem to set up an equation:

180^2 + x^2 = (x+60)^2

Simplifying:

32,400 + x^2 = x^2 + 120x + 3,600

Subtracting x^2 from both sides:

32,400 = 120x + 3,600

Subtracting 3,600 from both sides:

28,800 = 120x

Dividing both sides by 120:

240 = x

So the longer leg measures 240 m.

Solve. -A Lot Is in the Shape of a Right Triangle