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jmc

geometry junior

Problem

A right triangle has a side length of 21 inches and a hypotenuse of 29 inches. A second triangle is similar to the first and has a hypotenuse of 87 inches. What is the length of the shortest side of the second triangle?
Solution
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we calculate that the other leg of the original right triangle must be inches. Since 87 is 3 times 29, the length of the shortest side of the second triangle must be .
Final answer
60\text{ inches}