A right triangle has legs (in cm) that are roots of $x^{2} - 7 x + 12 = 0$ .
First confirm the roots are real and distinct, then find the hypotenuse (cm).

Question

A right triangle has legs (in cm) that are roots of x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0. First confirm the roots are real and distinct, then find the hypotenuse (cm).

Accepted Answer

5. D = 49 - 48 = 1 > 0, real distinct; roots are 3 and 4. Hypotenuse = √3^2 + 4^2 = √25 = 5 cm.

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