In a right angled triangle, the larger of the sides containing the right angle is 8cm longer than the smaller of the sides. The sum of the lengths of the sides containing the right angle is 16cm more than the length of the other side. Find the length (in cm) of the smallest side.

• Let the smaller side,smallest side= a,b. other side is a+8.
  given a+b=(a+8)+16, we get b=24
  acc to trinagle a^2+b^2= (a+8)^2, putting b=24 we get a=32 longest side is 40
  ans= smallest side is 24
  
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(27) No(2)
• SRUTHI:
  Consider a right angled triangle of sides base(b),length(l),Hypotenuse(h).
  here, b & l will contain right angle.
  
  let, b is the smallest one.
  then, l=b+8
  sum of the lengths of sides containing right angled = l+b
  =b+b+8=2b+8
  
  Length of hypotenuse =(2b+8-16)
  =2b-8(as it is given that sum of sides containing right angle is 16 more than other side).
  
  now, use the pythagorous theorem.
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(11) No(0)
• let, Smallest side be x.
  other sides are (x+8) and (2x-8).
  according to the property of right angled triangle,
  (2x-8)^2=x^2 + (x+8)^2
  above equation will give value of x=4.89cm
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(4) No(8)
• hello rakesh..how you got 4.89 cm?when i solved the eqn i got x=24 cm..can you make it clear for me??
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(1) No(0)
• Can u plz explain ur ans in a better way rakesh...
  and Ishwarya...I dint understand the question... Can u plz be a bit clear...
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(0) No(2)
• x+(x+8)+h=h+16
  2x=8
  x=8
  
• 12 years agoHelpfull: Yes(0) No(3)