Question

what is the length of the missing leg? if necessary, round to the nearest tenth.
a = \square centimeters
(the triangle has sides labeled 72 cm, 97 cm, and a right angle at the intersection of 72 cm and a)

Explanation:

Step1: Apply Pythagorean theorem

For a right triangle, $c^2 = a^2 + b^2$, where $c=97$ cm, $b=72$ cm. Rearrange to solve for $a$:
$a = \sqrt{c^2 - b^2}$

Step2: Calculate squared values

$c^2 = 97^2 = 9409$, $b^2 = 72^2 = 5184$

Step3: Subtract and take square root

$a = \sqrt{9409 - 5184} = \sqrt{4225}$

Answer:

65 centimeters