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Need some help

  1. Nov 29, 2011 #1

    iamBevan

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    Need some help :(

    1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

    One side of a rectangle is 5meters shorter than the other. If the length of the diagonal os 14m, find the lengths of the sides

    2. Relevant equations



    3. The attempt at a solution

    This is a question we haven't been equipt to answer, so I really need some help. All I have come up with is a bad attempt with Pythagoras:

    Trying to do 14^2=(a-5)^2+b^ and somehow get a value. Obviously, I've come up with nothing :(
     
    iamBevan, Nov 29, 2011
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  3. Nov 29, 2011 #2

    berkeman

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    Staff: Mentor

    Re: Need some help :(

    You don't need both "a" and "b" for the two sides. You know one side is 5m shorter than the other, so just use "a" again in the last term on the righthand side (RHS) of your equation, and then solve for a...
     
    berkeman, Nov 29, 2011
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