The Pythagorean theorem tells you that for legs a and b, and hypotenuse c this relationship holds: c² = a² + b²
It can be useful to make a couple of rearrangements of this relation. c = √(a² +b²) a = √(c² -b²)
1. c = √(10² + 8²) = √164 = 2√41
2. a = √(26² - 10²) = √576 = 24
_____ It doesn't matter which leg you call "a" and which one you call "b", unless they are specifically marked on the triangle. Then use the marks you are given.
