Understanding the Ratio of Leg Lengths

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 15 views

**In a 45-45-90 Right Triangle: Understanding the Ratio of Leg Lengths** ===========================================================

What is a 45-45-90 Right Triangle?

A 45-45-90 right triangle is a special type of right triangle that has two legs of equal length and a hypotenuse that is √2 times the length of each leg. This type of triangle is commonly encountered in geometry and trigonometry.

Understanding the Ratio of Leg Lengths

In a 45-45-90 right triangle, the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg is a fundamental concept. To understand this ratio, let's consider the properties of a 45-45-90 right triangle.

Properties of a 45-45-90 Right Triangle

A 45-45-90 right triangle has the following properties:

Two legs of equal length (let's call them a and a)
A hypotenuse that is √2 times the length of each leg (let's call it c)
The sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse (a^2 + a^2 = c^2)

Calculating the Ratio of Leg Lengths

Using the properties of a 45-45-90 right triangle, we can calculate the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg.

Let's assume that the length of one leg is a and the length of the other leg is also a. Since the two legs are equal in length, the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg is:

a : a = 1 : 1

Conclusion

In a 45-45-90 right triangle, the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg is 1:1. This means that the two legs are equal in length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: A 45-45-90 right triangle is a special type of right triangle that has two legs of equal length and a hypotenuse that is √2 times the length of each leg.

Q: What is the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: The ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg in a 45-45-90 right triangle is 1:1.

Q: Why is the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg 1:1 in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: The ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg is 1:1 in a 45-45-90 right triangle because the two legs are equal in length.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle is √2 times the length of each leg.

Q: How do you calculate the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: To calculate the ratio of the length of one leg to the length of the other leg in a 45-45-90 right triangle, you can use the properties of a 45-45-90 right triangle, such as the fact that the two legs are equal in length.

Q: What are the properties of a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: The properties of a 45-45-90 right triangle include two legs of equal length, a hypotenuse that is √2 times the length of each leg, and the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse.

Q: Why is the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: The sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle because of the Pythagorean theorem.

Q: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

A: The Pythagorean theorem is a fundamental concept in geometry that states that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two legs of a right triangle is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse.

Q: How do you use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle?

A: To use the Pythagorean theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle, you can plug in the values of the lengths of the two legs and solve for the length of the hypotenuse.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 3?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 3 is √2 * 3 = 3√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 5?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 5 is √2 * 5 = 5√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 10?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 10 is √2 * 10 = 10√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 20?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 20 is √2 * 20 = 20√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 50?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 50 is √2 * 50 = 50√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 100?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 100 is √2 * 100 = 100√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 200?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 200 is √2 * 200 = 200√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 500?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 500 is √2 * 500 = 500√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 1000?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 1000 is √2 * 1000 = 1000√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 2000?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 2000 is √2 * 2000 = 2000√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 5000?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 5000 is √2 * 5000 = 5000√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 10000?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 10000 is √2 * 10000 = 10000√2.

Q: What is the length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 20000?

A: The length of the hypotenuse in a 45-45-90 right triangle if the length of each leg is 20000 is √2 * 20000 = 20000√2.