If AC = 15 centimeters, and BC = 12 centimeters, which does AB equal?
To find the length of AB, we need to use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
In this case, AC and BC form a right triangle, and AB is the hypotenuse. So we have:
AB^2 = AC^2 + BC^2
Plugging in the given lengths:
AB^2 = 15^2 + 12^2
AB^2 = 225 + 144
AB^2 = 369
To determine the value of AB, we need to take the square root of both sides:
AB = √369
Using a calculator or an approximation, we find that the square root of 369 is approximately 19.21 centimeters. Therefore, AB is approximately 19.21 centimeters.