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Use Pythagoras' theorem: the square on the hypotenuse is equal in area to the sum of the squares on the two other sides.

So if the unknown side is the hypotenuse:

62 + 82 = x2

x2 = 100

x = 10 (This is fundamentally the same as the classic 3-4-5 triangle, employed by the ancient Egyptians to form right angles.) If the 8 foot side is the hypotenuse: 62 + x2 = 82

x2 = 64 - 36 = 28

x = 5.29 (to two decimal places).

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17y ago

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