The legs of a right triangle measure 5 centimeters and 12 centimeters. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

13cm ... bc, a^2 + b^2 = c^2

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 (pretend the ^2 is a squared symbol)

5^2 + 12^2 = c^2, which is ...

25 + 144 = c^2

25 + 144 = 169

So, 169 is c^2 (c squared).

Now, the square root of 169 is 13.

That means the hypotenuse is 13 cm a^2 + b^2 = c^2 (pretend the ^2 is a squared symbol)

5^2 + 12^2 = c^2, which is ...

25 + 144 = c^2

25 + 144 = 169

So, 169 is c^2 (c squared).

Now, the square root of 169 is 13.

That means the hypotenuse is 13 cm