If a right triangle has a side of length 3 and a hypotenuse of length 9, what is the length of the other side

Step-by-step explanation:

in a right triangle a^2+b^2=c^2,

where a and b are the legs

where c is the hypothenuse

9^2= b^2+3^2

81-9=b^2

b^2=72

b=8.48

Step-by-step explanation:

Givens

a = ?

b = 3

c = 9

Formula

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Solution

a^2 + 3^2 = 9^2

a^2 + 9 = 81

a^2 = 81 - 9

a^2 = 72

Now the tricky part. Are you required to give the exact answer which is

a = √72 = 6√2

or should you give

a = √72 = 8.49

if a = 1,   and b = 2, then the answer is 47.99999999. if you round that to the nearest whole number, the answer is 48.