Question

The area of a right triangle is 17.5 cm2. one leg is 2 cm shorter than the other. find the length of the shortest side. answer: the length of the shortest side is cm.

Answer 1

Area of a right triangle = 1/2 * b * h  [b-base, h-height]

Assume base, b = x cm  [Assuming the relation is between base and height]

height, h = x+2 cm

Area = 17.5 cm^2

1/2 * b * h = 17.5

b*h = 35

x*(x+2) = 35

x*(x+2) = 5*7

Hence, x = 5.     [if x=5, x+2=7 && x*(x+2)=35]

Hence, the shorter side = 5 cm

Hope it helps