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What are the Legs and Hypotenuse of a Right Triangle?

Definition: Legs and Hypotenuse of right triangles

Summary

  1. The legs are the shorter sides and meet at the right angle
  2. The hypotenuse is the longest side and is across from the right angle
  3. In the Pythagorean Theorem, it doesn't matter which leg you label a and which leg you label b
  4. BUT the hypotenuse must always be labeled c

Notes

    1. In the Pythagorean Theorem, it doesn't matter which leg you label a, and which leg you label b
    2. Just make sure they are the two shorter sides
    1. In the Pythagorean Theorem, c must always represent the hypotenuse of your right triangle
    1. In the Pythagorean Theorem, c must always represent the hypotenuse of your right triangle