How would you work out the length of an hypotenuse, if the length of the opposite side is 3 cm and the length of the opposite side is 4 cm?

You would use Pythagoras theorem, which states, a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Where a is the opposite side to the angle, b is the side adjacent to the angle and c is the hypotenuse.

So if a = 3 cm, and b = 4 cm, c^2 would equal: 3^2 + 4 ^2 = 9 + 16 = 25. If c^2 = 25, then c = 5. Therefore the length of the hypotenuse is 5cm.

Answered by Othniel A. Maths tutor

3368 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The turning point on a quadratic function


Solve algebraically the simultaneous equations x^2 +y^2 =25, y – 3x = 13


Solve algebraically the simultaneous equations, giving your answers in terms of b : 3x+by=5, x-y=-2


How do I find the equation of a line connecting points a(p,q) and b(r,s)?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences