GCSE Maths

Pythagoras Solution

This time, we can work out the missing shortest length by subtracting the other square off the square of the hypotenuse.

right angle triangle with known sides of 12 and 13 cm Starting with:
    hypotenuse² = one-side² + second-side²

    13² = 12² + x²

Re-arranging:

    13² - 12² = x²
    169 - 144 = x²
    x² = 25
    x = 5 cm
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