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Use Pythagoras's equationa^2 + b^2 = c^2

where c is the hypotenuse - the longest side which is opposite the right angle

a and b are the two smaller legs.


So, if the two legs are known and the hypotenuse is unknown:

  1. square the two known sides;
  2. add the numbers together
  3. take the square root.
This is the measure of the hypotenuse.


Suppose the hypotenuse and one side is known, the other is unkown:

  1. square the two known sides;
  2. subtract the smaller answer from the larger;
  3. take the square root.
This is the measure of the missing leg.
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9y ago
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9y ago

By using Pythagoras' theorem if the other two sides are known

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Q: How do you find the unknown side of a right triangle?
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Related questions

What two geometric principles permit you to find an unknown angle or an unknown side in a right triangle?

Trigonometry and Pythagoras' theorem


What is the unknown side of the right triangle?

It has to be 45 degrees.


How can pythagoream theorem be used to find a missing side length of a right triangle?

It can be found by: hypotenuse squared minus known side squared = unknown side squared


The pythagorean theorem can what?

it can help you find the unknown length on one side of a triangle


How do i find the hypotenuse of a triangle?

It is the longest side of a right angle triangle.


How do you find the hypotenuse of a triangle that has no right angles?

If it has no right angles, it is not a right triangle and therefore you cannot name a hypotenuse of that triangle. Which implies you cannot find that side's measure.


How do you find the hypotenuse of triangle?

If it has no right angles, it is not a right triangle and therefore you cannot name a hypotenuse of that triangle. Which implies you cannot find that side's measure.


How do you find the length to a missing side of a right triangle?

Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2= c2 where c is the hypotenuse of a right triangle. Hypotenuse is the side of a right triangle opposite to the right angle.


How do you find the unknown length of a triangle?

If two sides are given and you need to know the length of the third side use the Pythagrean Theorem formula. Then you find the square root. c² = a² + b²* * * * *That is useful only if the triangle is a right angled triangle. Most are not. The correct answer depends on what information you do have.


How do you find the unknown length of one side of a triangle when you know the perimeter and the length of the other two sides?

subtract the two sides that you know from the perimeter to get the unknown side.


How do you find an angle of a right angled triangle if you know 2 sides?

You use the Pythagorean theorem, which can only be applied to right triangles: a2+b2=c2, where a and b are the triangle's legs and c is the triangle's hypotenuse. Plug the two sides you know into the equation, then solve for the unknown side.


How is the pythagorean therem used?

It is used to find the unknown 3rd side of a right angle triangle when its other 2 sides are given and Pythagoras' theorem is:- a2+b2 = c2 whereas a and b are the sides of the triangle with c being its hypotenuse or longest side