pythagorean theorem

[phillygurl]

9. One side of a rectangular stage is 4 ft longer than the other and the diagonal is 20ft.

Use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the lengths of the sides.

I am using the a^2 + b^2 = c^2 formula and I have exhausted all angles.....help please

a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a^2 + (4+b^2) = c^2
20^2 + (4+20^2) = c^2
400 + (4 + 400) = c^2
400 + 404 = c^2
804 = c^2
c = 2?201

 

[mmm4444bot]

One side is x.

One side is x + 4.

The hypotenuse is 20.

x^2 + (x + 4)^2 = 20^2

 

[phillygurl]

Thank you - I got it.....

x^2 + (x + 4)^2 = 20^2
x^2 + (x + 4)^2 = 400
12^2 + (12 + 4)^2 = 400
12^2 + 16^2 = 400
144 + 256 = 400
400 = 400