Grade 8 Math · Spatial Sense

Pythagorean theorem: find a missing leg

Apply the Pythagorean theorem to find a missing leg of a right triangle. Unlimited questions, five difficulty levels, and a full worked solution every time — free.

Practice this skill Curriculum: G8-E2.4

Try one

A right triangle has a hypotenuse of 13 m and one leg of 12 m. How long is the other leg?

a2 + b2 = c2

Answer: 5

See one solved, step by step

A right triangle has a hypotenuse of 25 m and one leg of 24 m. How long is the other leg?

a2 + b2 = c2
📘 Worked solution
1252 - 242 = 625 - 576 = 49Rearrange the Pythagorean theorem: the missing leg's square is c^2 minus the known leg's square.
2√(49) = 7Take the square root to get the length.

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