Triangle Side Calculator Right Angle

Missing Leg Formula:

\[ \text{missing leg} = \sqrt{\text{hyp}^2 - \text{leg}^2} \]

Missing Leg (meters):

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1. What is a Triangle Side Calculator (Right Angle)?

Definition: This calculator determines the length of the missing leg in a right-angled triangle when you know the hypotenuse and one leg.

Purpose: It helps students, engineers, and construction professionals quickly solve right triangle problems without manual calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

\[ \text{leg} = \sqrt{\text{hypotenuse}^2 - \text{known leg}^2} \]

Where:

hypotenuse — Longest side of the right triangle (opposite the right angle)
known leg — One of the two shorter sides
missing leg — The other shorter side we're calculating

Explanation: The square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

3. Importance of Right Triangle Calculations

Details: Right triangle calculations are fundamental in construction, navigation, engineering, and many STEM fields.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the hypotenuse and one leg length (both must be positive numbers, and hypotenuse must be longer than the leg).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if I know both legs but need the hypotenuse?
A: Use the formula \( \text{hypotenuse} = \sqrt{\text{leg}_1^2 + \text{leg}_2^2} \).

Q2: What units should I use?
A: The calculator works with any consistent units (meters, feet, etc.) as long as both inputs use the same unit.

Q3: Why does my calculation show an error?
A: Ensure hypotenuse > leg and both values are positive. The hypotenuse must always be the longest side.

Q4: How accurate is the result?
A: The calculator provides results with 3 decimal places, but real-world accuracy depends on your input measurements.

Q5: Can I use this for non-right triangles?
A: No, this calculator only works for right-angled triangles. For others, you'd need the Law of Cosines.