Difference between revisions of "1956 AHSME Problems/Problem 39"

(Created page with "== Problem 39== The hypotenuse <math>c</math> and one arm <math>a</math> of a right triangle are consecutive integers. The square of the second arm is: <math> \textbf{(A)}...")
 
 
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Squaring the middle length gets <math>2a + 1 = a + c,</math> so the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(C)}}.</math>
 
Squaring the middle length gets <math>2a + 1 = a + c,</math> so the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(C)}}.</math>
  
The square of the second arm is <math>16,</math> which is equal to <math>\boxed{\textbf{(E)} \text{none of these}}.</math>
 
 
-coolmath34
 
-coolmath34
  

Latest revision as of 21:59, 12 February 2021

Problem 39

The hypotenuse $c$ and one arm $a$ of a right triangle are consecutive integers. The square of the second arm is:

$\textbf{(A)}\ ca\qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \frac{c}{a}\qquad \textbf{(C)}\ c+a\qquad \textbf{(D)}\ c-a\qquad  \textbf{(E)}\ \text{none of these}$

Solution

The sides of the triangle are $a,$ $\sqrt{c^2-a^2},$ and $c.$ We know that the hypotenuse and one leg are consecutive integers, so we can rewrite the side lengths as $a,$ $\sqrt{2a+1},$ and $a+1.$

Squaring the middle length gets $2a + 1 = a + c,$ so the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(C)}}.$

-coolmath34

See Also

1956 AHSC (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 38
Followed by
Problem 40
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