Question

two students describe the sides of right triangle abc in relation to ∠b. tomas: ab is the hypotenuse. ac is the opposite side. bc is the adjacent side. iliana: ab is the hypotenuse. bc is the opposite side. ac is the adjacent side. who is correct? explain. tomas is correct; ac is opposite ∠b and bc is adjacent to ∠b. iliana is correct; bc is opposite ∠b and ac is adjacent to ∠b. both are correct because both ac and bc are opposite ∠b. neither is correct because neither ac nor bc is opposite ∠b.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall right - triangle side definitions

In right - triangle ABC with right - angle at C and respect to ∠B, the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right - angle (AB). The opposite side to ∠B is the non - hypotenuse side not touching ∠B (AC), and the adjacent side is the non - hypotenuse side touching ∠B (BC).

Answer:

A. Tomas is correct; $\overline{AC}$ is opposite $\angle B$ and $\overline{BC}$ is adjacent to $\angle B$.