Answer:
One leg - 15 inches
Second leg - 36 inches.
Step-by-step explanation:
One leg - x inches.
Second leg - (x + 21) inches.
Hypotenuse - 39 inches.
Using Pythagorean theorem
x² + (x + 21)² = 39²
x² + x² + 2*21x + 21² = 39²
2x² + 42x - 39² + 21² = 0
2x² + 42x - 1080 = 0
x² + 21x - 540 = 0
(x - 15)(x + 36) = 0
x = 15, x = - 36
We can use only positive value.
One leg - x inches = 15 inches
Second leg - (x + 21) inches = 15+21=36 inches.
