Question

find the value of b.
5 in
12 in
b
b = √?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Pythagorean theorem

For a right - triangle with sides $a$, $b$ and hypotenuse $c$, $a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}$. Here $a = 5$, $c=12$.

Step2: Rearrange the formula to solve for $b$

$b^{2}=c^{2}-a^{2}$. Substitute $a = 5$ and $c = 12$ into the formula: $b^{2}=12^{2}-5^{2}$.

Step3: Calculate the values

$12^{2}=144$ and $5^{2}=25$. So $b^{2}=144 - 25=119$.

Answer:

$\sqrt{119}$