# Homework Help: Estimate the hypotenuse of the triangle

1. Jan 25, 2007

### suspenc3

Hi I just had a question on a quiz that asked to estimate the hypotenuse of triangle with given sides and a maximum error possibility. The two given sides were 5 and 12..i dont need an exact solution..but I was just wondering how to do it.

I Found the maximum Error that was possible and the said the the hypotenuse was 13+/-Error. Is this how to do it?

The max error was found using differentials.

2. Jan 26, 2007

### HallsofIvy

Assuming that you did in fact find "Error", then yes, the hypotenuse would be $13\pm "Error"$. The point of the problem is, of course, to find "Error".

Last edited by a moderator: Jan 26, 2007
3. Jan 26, 2007

### suspenc3

Yeah thats what I thought..But I didnt know if you were allowed to simply say the hypotenuse was 13..since finding that has nothing to do with differentials...I wasnt sure if there was actually a way to find the actual estimated length of it...without having to subtract the errror.