Determine the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle if the legs have lengths 12 inches and 16 inches?

c = 20 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the sides of a right triangle, you use the Pythagorean Theorem.

a² + b² = c²

You know a and b, and you need to find c, the hypotenuse.

Plug in a and b.

(12)² + (16)² = c²

Simplify by solving the exponents.

144 + 256 = c²

Combine the constants.

400 = c²

Take the square root of both sides.

√400 = √c²

Solve the √

±20 = c

The length cannot be negative, so you can eliminate that as an option.

So, c = 20