One of the legs of a right triangle measures 3 cm and the other leg measures 18 cm . Find the measure of the hypotenuse. If necessary, round to the nearest tenth.

To find the hypotenuse of a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that \( a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \), where \( c \) is the hypotenuse and \( a \) and \( b \) are the legs of the triangle. Here, \( a = 3 \) cm and \( b = 18 \) cm. Calculating: \[ 3^2 + 18^2 = c^2 \] \[ 9 + 324 = c^2 \] \[ 333 = c^2 \] Now, taking the square root: \[ c = \sqrt{333} \approx 18.26 \] Rounding to the nearest tenth, the hypotenuse measures approximately 18.3 cm. Now you have your hypotenuse, but have you ever wondered about the historical use of right triangles? They were crucial in ancient civilizations for architecture and land surveying, with famous figures like the Babylonians and Egyptians relying on these principles centuries ago! If you ever need to apply this knowledge, think about its practical uses! Architects and engineers use the Pythagorean theorem regularly to ensure structures are built safely and meet precise measurements. So whether you're designing a treehouse or laying out a new room, you now know some key math magic to help you out!