go to jove.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mathematics (Grade 8)

Geometry

This is a free preview. For full access

Geometry: Pythagorean Theorem

Finding the Length of a Missing Leg

Description

Finding the Length of a Missing Leg

Introduction

Right triangles appear in ramps, ladders, roofs, and even the shortest path across a rectangular field. Sometimes we know the hypotenuse—the longest side—and one leg, but need to find the other leg. The Pyt...

Transcript

Nova stands at the podium during the school math quiz competition.

Her final challenge is to find the missing leg of a right triangle.

She sees that one leg measures 2.1 centimeters and the hypotenuse measures 2.9 centimeters.

Since it is a right triangle, Nova decides to use the Pythagorean theorem to find the missing leg. The...

Tags