How do you calculate the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle if the two shorter sides are 6 and 8?

As this is a right angle triangle, we need to use Pythagoras's Theorem. 

This says that the length of the longest side of a right angle triangle (the hypotenuse) is equal to the sqaure root of the sum of the squares of two other sides.

So in this case:

h = sqrt(6^2 + 8^2)

h= sqrt(36 + 64)

h = sqrt (100)

h = 10 :)

Fun fact - this is a special triangle known as a Pythagorean triple as all three sides are integers (whole numbers) 

RV
Answered by Rebecca V. Maths tutor

5508 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How would I find the nth term of this sequence? 15, 18, 21, 24, ...


The number of uniform spherical shots that can be made from a given mass of lead varies inversely to the cube of the radius. When the radius is 1mm the number of shots made is 2744. How many shots of radius 1.4mm can be made from the same mass.


(6x+4)/(2x- 2) + 3 = 4 solve for x


Factorise the following- A) 4x+12xz. B) 3xy + 6y d) 4A^2B^2+ 8AB^2 +16AB^3


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