How do you find a missing side length in a right-angled triangle?

Use Pythagoras' theorem. a2 + b2 = c2. The longest side of the triangle is the hypotenuse, and it is the side opposite the right angle. We use the length of this side as 'c' if we have it. 'a' and 'b' are the other two sides, and it doesn't matter which is which.We can rearrange the above equation as c2 - b2 = a2 OR c2 - a2 = b2. This allows us to find the missing side using the equation above if we need to find the hypotenuse, or one of these other two equations if looking for a shorter side. Remember to square root at the end to find the side length.

JD
Answered by James D. Maths tutor

10597 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

solve x^2 >3(x+6) (4 mks)


3x² = 75 Find the value of x.


3x+2y=12 ; 5x+3y=19


What is the significance of the number e (Euler's number)?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning