Question

find the missing side

Explanation:

Step1: Apply Pythagorean theorem

In a right - triangle, $c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}$, where $c$ is the hypotenuse and $a$ and $b$ are the legs. Here, $c = 60$ and one leg $b = 48$. We want to find the other leg $a$. So, $a=\sqrt{c^{2}-b^{2}}$.

Step2: Substitute values

Substitute $c = 60$ and $b = 48$ into the formula: $a=\sqrt{60^{2}-48^{2}}=\sqrt{(60 + 48)(60 - 48)}$ (using the difference - of - squares formula $x^{2}-y^{2}=(x + y)(x - y)$). Then $a=\sqrt{108\times12}=\sqrt{1296}=36$.

Answer:

36