1. What is the 3rd Side of Right Triangle Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the length of the hypotenuse (3rd side) of a right triangle when given the other two sides.

Purpose: It helps students, engineers, and construction professionals quickly solve for the missing side of a right triangle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Where:

• \( c \) — Hypotenuse (longest side, opposite the right angle)
• \( a \) — First leg of the right triangle
• \( b \) — Second leg of the right triangle

Explanation: The squares of the two shorter sides are added together, and the square root of this sum gives the hypotenuse length.

3. Importance of Right Triangle Calculations

Details: Right triangle calculations are fundamental in geometry, construction, navigation, and various engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the lengths of any two sides in meters. Both values must be > 0. The calculator will solve for the third side.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I find a leg if I know the hypotenuse and one leg?
A: Yes, you can rearrange the formula to \( a = \sqrt{c^2 - b^2} \) if you know the hypotenuse (c) and one leg (b).

Q2: Does this work for non-right triangles?
A: No, this calculator only works for right triangles. For other triangles, you would need the Law of Cosines.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit will work as long as all sides use the same unit.

Q4: How precise are the results?
A: Results are shown to 3 decimal places for most practical applications.

Q5: Can I use this for 3D right triangles?
A: The basic Pythagorean theorem works for 2D right triangles. For 3D, you would need to apply it twice.