# Math Help - Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

1. ## Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

Is it possible to determine the length of BOTH the opposite and adjacent sides of a right triangle knowing ONLY the length of the hypotenuse and no angles (except for the right angle of course)?

2. ## Re: Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

Originally Posted by azjay
Is it possible to determine the length of BOTH the opposite and adjacent sides of a right triangle knowing ONLY the length of the hypotenuse and no angles (except for the right angle of course)?
No. Make a diagram and label the sides of your triangle and use the pythagorean theorem. This will give you a relationship between the sides. Any "pair" of sides that satisfy that equation will make a right triangle.

16,63,65
25,60,65
33,56,65
39,52,65

4. ## Re: Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

Originally Posted by Wilmer
16,63,65
25,60,65
33,56,65
39,52,65
adjacent, opposite, hypotenuse? Assuming 65 was hypotenuse, how did you get these values basically?

5. ## Re: Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

Originally Posted by azjay
adjacent, opposite, hypotenuse? Assuming 65 was hypotenuse, how did you get these values basically?
"adjacent, opposite" of no significance; both are the "legs", usually denoted as a and b; c being the hypotenuse.
a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Look up right triangles and/or pythagorean theorem.

6. ## Re: Right Triangle: finding length of sides with only one variable?

Originally Posted by azjay
Is it possible to determine the length of BOTH the opposite and adjacent sides of a right triangle knowing ONLY the length of the hypotenuse and no angles (except for the right angle of course)?
No. Go lean a ladder against a wall!