7

Set 3: Triangles (Advanced)

Explanation

Answer: B

PROBLEM

Intriguingly, a right triangle has one leg of length 8 and hypotenuse 17. What is the other leg?

A right triangle has one leg of length 8 and hypotenuse 17. What is the other leg?

A.

17

B.

15

✓ Correct
C.

12

D.

16

Detailed Explanation

[Variation 2] Choice B is the best answer. b squared = 17 squared - 8 squared = 289 - 64 = 225. b = 15

Why others are wrong:
A: 17 is incorrect because it does not satisfy the equation.
C: 12 is incorrect because it does not satisfy the equation.
D: 16 is incorrect because it does not satisfy the equation.