PLEASE HELP!For any right triangle, the side lengths of the triangle can be put in the equation a2 + b2 = c2 where a, b, and c are the side lengths. A triangle with the side lengths 3 inches, 4 inches, and 5 inches is a right triangle. Which way(s) can you substitute the values into the equation to make it true? Which variable has to match the longest side length? Why?
Accepted Solution
A:
The short answer is trial and error. The side lengths "3" and "4" can both be substituted for a² and b² but not c² because their value squared is not high enough since 5² is 25. "c²" as to match the longest side because the smaller numbers will cause the equation to not be true. See Below.