2 and 2

cc a a

7a

Example

Solution

The hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is 8 ft long. Find the length of a leg. Give an exact answer and an approximation to three decimal places.

45o

a

a45o

88

2a

4 2a

Exact answer:

Approximation:

4 2 fta

5.657 ft.a

2

2

8 2

4a

a a a

2a2a

Example

Solution

The shorter leg of a 30o-60o-90o right triangle measures 12 in. Find the lengths of the other sides. Give exact answers and, where appropriate, an approximation to three decimal places.

2a3a

12

60o

30o

The hypotenuse is twice as long as the shorter leg, so we have

c = 2a

c = 2(12)

c = 24 in.

3b a

The length of the longer leg is the length of the shorter leg times This gives us

3.

3 i12 n.b

Exact answer:

Approximation:

24 in., 12 3 in.c b

20.785 in.b

1414 2 19.799

7

3

7 3

3

4.041

14 3

38.082