Answer:
48
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pythagorean Theorem is:
[tex]a^2+b^2=c^2[/tex]
where [tex]a[/tex] and [tex]b[/tex] are the legs of the right triangle. [tex]c[/tex] is the hypotenuse of the triangle.
In this right triangle, we know that one leg is 20 and the hypotenuse is 52. Therefore,
[tex]a=20[/tex]
[tex]c=52[/tex]
Since we don't know the other leg, we can leave it as [tex]b[/tex]. Substitute the values into the theorem.
[tex]20^2+b^2=52^2[/tex]
Evaluate the exponents first.
⇒ 20²=20*20=400
⇒ 52²= 52*52= 2704
[tex]400+b^2=2704[/tex]
Since we want to find [tex]b[/tex], we must isolate [tex]b[/tex]. First, subtract 400 from both sides of the equation.
[tex]400-400+b^2=2704-400[/tex]
[tex]b^2=2704-400[/tex]
[tex]b^2=2304[/tex]
[tex]b[/tex] is being squared. The inverse of a square is a square root. Take the square root of both sides of the equation.
[tex]\sqrt{b^2}=\sqrt{2304}[/tex]
[tex]b=\sqrt{2304}[/tex]
[tex]b=48[/tex]
The length of the other leg is 48
