Answer:
2 cm (Answer B)
Step-by-step explanation:
This is a right triangle, and therefore the Pythagorean Theorem applies:
(shorter leg)² + (longer leg)² = (hypotenuse)²
In this case, (longer leg)² = (hypotenuse)² - (shorter leg)², or
(longer leg)² = (13 cm)² - (5 cm)², or:
(longer leg)² = 169 cm² - (25 cm²) = 144 cm²
The length of the longer leg is the square root of 144 cm², or 12 cm (Answer B)
