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If the only information you have is the length of one side of a triangle, there are an infinite number of triangles having that length. Since the hypotenuse is defined to be "The side opposite the right angle in a plane right triangle", you will need the length of the other side to find the hypotenuse using the Pythagorean theorem. Alternatively you need to know the other angles. Then you can use the appropriate trig function to find the length of the hypotenuse.

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Q: How do you find the hypotenuse when only one length is given?
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Continue Learning about Other Math

Can you find the length of the sides of a right triangle knowing only the hypotenuse?

No.


How do you find the area of a right angle knowing only the hypotenuse?

One other angle or the length of one other side must also be known.


How do you find 2 missing sides of a right triangle?

Two methods to try . #1 Use pythagoras h^ = a^2 + a^2 NB THis is only good if you know that the two unknown sides are the same length. #2 Use trigonometry (trig.) This is good if you know the hypotenuse and one of the angles. Sine(angle) = opposite/ hypotenuse Hence opposite side = hypotenuse X sine(angle) Similarly Cosine(angle) = adjacent / hypotenuse. adjacent side = hypotenuse X Cosine(angle) Here is an example If you known the hypotenuse is a length of '6' and the angle is 30 degrees. Then opposite = 6 X Sin(30) opposite = 6 x 0.5 = 3 So the length of the oppisute sides is '3' units. NB DO NOT make the mistakes of saying Sin(6 X 30) = Sin(180) Nor 6 x 30 , nor Sin(6) X 30 , nor any other combination. You MUST find the SINE of the angle , then multiply it to the given length. Similarly for Cosine and Tangent.


Can you find both sides of a triangle if only the hypotenuse is given?

No. The hypotenuse is the side of a right triangle that is not adjacent to the right angle. The Pythagorean theorem says that a2+b2=h2 where h is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the lengths of the other sides. Let's say the hypotnuse is 3, then a2+b2=9 a and b could be the 1 and the square root of 8 or the square root of 2 and the square root of 7 or the square root of 3 and the square root of 6. In fact, there are an infinite number of combinations of lengths that a and b could be.


How do you find the base and height of a triangle if you only have the hypotenuse?

I'm pretty sure that only works if it is an isosceles right triangle. In that case, use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the base and height knowing only the hypotenuse. A2 + B2 = C2. A=B= height= base. C= hypotenuse