using the Pythagorean Theorem to find biking portion

[suthern_angel]

I am just beginning pre algebra and am having a hard time . Can someone help me solve this problem please?

Triathlon: The course for a local triathlon has the shape of a right triangle. The legs of the triangle consist of a 4-mile swim and a 10-mile run. The hypotenuse of the triangle is the biking portion of the event. How far is the biking part of the triathlon? Round to the nearest tenth if neccassary.

I am totally lost. I am supposed to use the Pythagorean Theorem. I think that I use "a squared + b squared = c squared"...? I tried "4 squared + 10 squared" to try and get the the biking part of the triathalon, and came up with "116 squared", which I know cannot be right .

 

[skeeter]

if \(\displaystyle \L c^2 = a^2 + b^2\), then \(\displaystyle \L c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2}\)

so, the hypotenuse (bike run) is \(\displaystyle \L \sqrt{4^2 + 10^2} = \sqrt{116} \approx 10.8\) miles

 

[sgtpepper]

here's a live calculator with the data plugged in for you
a and b are the two legs; c is the hypotenuse, or the biking part.

calculations page

try plugging in different numbers and see how the answer or value of c is affected