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Right triangle with the base labeled: a, the height labeled: b, and the hypotenuse labeled: c

Finding the length of the missing side of a right triangle

Find the length of the missing side of the right triangle in [link] .

Right triangle with the base labeled: a, the height labeled: 4, and the hypotenuse labeled 12.

As we have measurements for side b and the hypotenuse, the missing side is a.

a 2 + b 2 = c 2 a 2 + ( 4 ) 2 = ( 12 ) 2 a 2 + 16 = 144 a 2 = 128 a = 128 = 8 2
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Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve the right triangle problem: Leg a measures 4 units, leg b measures 3 units. Find the length of the hypotenuse.

5 units

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Key equations

quadratic formula x = b ± b 2 4 a c 2 a

Key concepts

  • Many quadratic equations can be solved by factoring when the equation has a leading coefficient of 1 or if the equation is a difference of squares. The zero-factor property is then used to find solutions. See [link] , [link] , and [link] .
  • Many quadratic equations with a leading coefficient other than 1 can be solved by factoring using the grouping method. See [link] and [link] .
  • Another method for solving quadratics is the square root property. The variable is squared. We isolate the squared term and take the square root of both sides of the equation. The solution will yield a positive and negative solution. See [link] and [link] .
  • Completing the square is a method of solving quadratic equations when the equation cannot be factored. See [link] .
  • A highly dependable method for solving quadratic equations is the quadratic formula, based on the coefficients and the constant term in the equation. See [link] .
  • The discriminant is used to indicate the nature of the roots that the quadratic equation will yield: real or complex, rational or irrational, and how many of each. See [link] .
  • The Pythagorean Theorem, among the most famous theorems in history, is used to solve right-triangle problems and has applications in numerous fields. Solving for the length of one side of a right triangle requires solving a quadratic equation. See [link] .

Section exercises

Verbal

How do we recognize when an equation is quadratic?

It is a second-degree equation (the highest variable exponent is 2).

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When we solve a quadratic equation, how many solutions should we always start out seeking? Explain why when solving a quadratic equation in the form a x 2 + b x + c = 0 we may graph the equation y = a x 2 + b x + c and have no zeroes ( x -intercepts).

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When we solve a quadratic equation by factoring, why do we move all terms to one side, having zero on the other side?

We want to take advantage of the zero property of multiplication in the fact that if a b = 0 then it must follow that each factor separately offers a solution to the product being zero: a = 0   o r  b = 0.

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In the quadratic formula, what is the name of the expression under the radical sign b 2 4 a c , and how does it determine the number of and nature of our solutions?

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Describe two scenarios where using the square root property to solve a quadratic equation would be the most efficient method.

One, when no linear term is present (no x term), such as x 2 = 16. Two, when the equation is already in the form ( a x + b ) 2 = d .

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Questions & Answers

differentiate between demand and supply giving examples
Lambiv Reply
differentiated between demand and supply using examples
Lambiv
what is labour ?
Lambiv
how will I do?
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how is the graph works?I don't fully understand
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information
Eliyee
devaluation
Eliyee
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WARKISA
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Lambiv
multiple choice question
Aster Reply
appreciation
Eliyee
explain perfect market
Lindiwe Reply
In economics, a perfect market refers to a theoretical construct where all participants have perfect information, goods are homogenous, there are no barriers to entry or exit, and prices are determined solely by supply and demand. It's an idealized model used for analysis,
Ezea
What is ceteris paribus?
Shukri Reply
other things being equal
AI-Robot
When MP₁ becomes negative, TP start to decline. Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 • Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of lab
Kelo
Extuples Suppose that the short-run production function of certain cut-flower firm is given by: Q=4KL-0.6K2 - 0.112 • Where is quantity of cut flower produced, I is labour input and K is fixed capital input (K-5). Determine the average product of labour (APL) and marginal product of labour (MPL)
Kelo
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Shukri
Can I ask you other question?
Shukri
what is monopoly mean?
Habtamu Reply
What is different between quantity demand and demand?
Shukri Reply
Quantity demanded refers to the specific amount of a good or service that consumers are willing and able to purchase at a give price and within a specific time period. Demand, on the other hand, is a broader concept that encompasses the entire relationship between price and quantity demanded
Ezea
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Shukri
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Lilia Reply
what is the difference between economic growth and development
Fiker Reply
Economic growth as an increase in the production and consumption of goods and services within an economy.but Economic development as a broader concept that encompasses not only economic growth but also social & human well being.
Shukri
production function means
Jabir
What do you think is more important to focus on when considering inequality ?
Abdisa Reply
any question about economics?
Awais Reply
sir...I just want to ask one question... Define the term contract curve? if you are free please help me to find this answer 🙏
Asui
it is a curve that we get after connecting the pareto optimal combinations of two consumers after their mutually beneficial trade offs
Awais
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Asui
In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities, where neither p
Cornelius
In economics, the contract curve refers to the set of points in an Edgeworth box diagram where both parties involved in a trade cannot be made better off without making one of them worse off. It represents the Pareto efficient allocations of goods between two individuals or entities,
Cornelius
Suppose a consumer consuming two commodities X and Y has The following utility function u=X0.4 Y0.6. If the price of the X and Y are 2 and 3 respectively and income Constraint is birr 50. A,Calculate quantities of x and y which maximize utility. B,Calculate value of Lagrange multiplier. C,Calculate quantities of X and Y consumed with a given price. D,alculate optimum level of output .
Feyisa Reply
Answer
Feyisa
c
Jabir
the market for lemon has 10 potential consumers, each having an individual demand curve p=101-10Qi, where p is price in dollar's per cup and Qi is the number of cups demanded per week by the i th consumer.Find the market demand curve using algebra. Draw an individual demand curve and the market dema
Gsbwnw Reply
suppose the production function is given by ( L, K)=L¼K¾.assuming capital is fixed find APL and MPL. consider the following short run production function:Q=6L²-0.4L³ a) find the value of L that maximizes output b)find the value of L that maximizes marginal product
Abdureman
types of unemployment
Yomi Reply
What is the difference between perfect competition and monopolistic competition?
Mohammed
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Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
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