Find the length of the longest side of a right angled triangle with the two smaller sides equal to 8 and 15.

As the triangle in the question is a right angled triangle we can use Pythagoras Theorem , a2+b2=c2. c is the size of the longest size which is what we are looking for and a and b are lengths 8 and 15.Therefore c2=82+152, c2=64+225, c2=289, c=sqrt(289), c=17. So the length of the longest side is 17

CP
Answered by Calum P. Maths tutor

3702 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Triangle ABC is a triangle with a right angle at vertex B. Length BC = 6cm and angle A = 30 degrees. How long is length AC?


Solve the simultaneous equations 2x + y = 7 and 3x - y = 8


Pythagoras: If you have a right angled triangle PQR, and length PQ=5cm, length QR=8cm (which is the longest length), then calculate length PR to two decimal places.


Lewis wins £360 in a prize draw. He gives 15% to charity and puts 3/8 into his savings. The rest he uses to buy a bike. How much of the money has Lewis got left for this bike? Note: do not use a calculator


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning