Question

devon reseeded a section of lawn that he plans to protect by putting a fence around it. the section of lawn is in the shape of a right triangle with a leg that is 10 feet long and a hypotenuse that is 26 feet long. devon has 55 feet of fencing. does devon have enough fencing for this project? use the drop - down menus to explain.

Explanation:

Step1: Find missing leg length

Use Pythagorean theorem: $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$. Let unknown leg = $x$, $a=10$, $c=26$.
$$10^2 + x^2 = 26^2$$
$$100 + x^2 = 676$$
$$x^2 = 676 - 100 = 576$$
$$x = \sqrt{576} = 24$$

Step2: Calculate total perimeter

Add all sides of triangle.
$$P = 10 + 24 + 26 = 60$$

Step3: Compare to fencing length

Compare perimeter to 55 feet.
$60 > 55$

Answer:

No, Devon does not have enough fencing. The total perimeter of the lawn is 60 feet, which is more than the 55 feet of fencing he has.