Advanced Math practice question

Answer: 24

The legs satisfy a + b = 14 and a² + b² = 100. Since (a + b)² = a² + b² + 2ab, 196 = 100 + 2ab, so ab = 48 and the area is ab/2 = 24. (The legs are 6 and 8.)

Common wrong answers

If you answered 14

14 is a + b.

If you answered 48

48 is ab, the product of the legs, not half of it.

If you answered 120

120 is 24 × 10 ÷ 2, mixing the perimeter with the hypotenuse.

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