Question

1. what is the length of the hypotenuse if a right triangle has legs of lengths 9 and 12?

a. 15
b. 9
c. 11
d. 13

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Pythagorean theorem

For a right - triangle with legs \(a\) and \(b\) and hypotenuse \(c\), \(c^{2}=a^{2}+b^{2}\). Here \(a = 9\) and \(b = 12\).
So \(c^{2}=9^{2}+12^{2}\).

Step2: Calculate squares

\(9^{2}=81\) and \(12^{2}=144\). Then \(c^{2}=81 + 144=225\).

Step3: Find the square - root

\(c=\sqrt{225}=15\).

Answer:

A. 15