Pythagorean Theorem: Finding BC in an 8cm × 6cm Right Triangle

Question

Consider a right-angled triangle, AB = 8 cm and AC = 6 cm.
Calculate the length of side BC.

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Step-by-Step Solution

To find the length of the hypotenuse BC in a right-angled triangle where AB and AC are the other two sides, we use the Pythagorean theorem: c2=a2+b2 c^2 = a^2 + b^2 .

Here, a=6 cm a = 6 \text{ cm} and b=8 cm b = 8 \text{ cm} .

Plugging the values into the Pythagorean theorem, we get:

c2=62+82 c^2 = 6^2 + 8^2 .

Calculating further:

c2=36+64 c^2 = 36 + 64

c2=100 c^2 = 100 .

Taking the square root of both sides gives:

c=10 cm c = 10 \text{ cm} .

Answer

10 cm