The difference between the sides at right angles in a right-angled triangle is 7 cm. The area of the triangle is 60 cm2. Finds its perimeter.

Let the sides at right angles be a and b


And, the third side be c.


Given: a-b = 7 cm


Area of triangle = 60 cm2



Now, since a-b = 7


a = b + 7


Now we know that,


Area of triangle = 1/2 × base × height


60 = 1/2 × b × (b + 7)


60 × 2 = b2 + 7b


b2 + 7b = 120


b2 + 7b – 120 = 0


b2 + 15b - 8b – 120 = 0


b(b + 15) - 8(b + 15) = 0


(b + 15)(b-8) = 0


This gives us two equations,


i. b – 8 = 0


b = 8


ii. b + 15 = 0


b = -15


Since, the side of the triangle cannot be negative


Therefore, b = 8 cm


a = (b + 7) cm


a = (8 + 7) cm


a = 15 cm


Now we know that,


Base2 + Perpendicular2 = Hypotenuse2


a2 + b2 = c2


152 + 82 = c2


c2 = 225 + 64


c2 = 289


c = 17


Now,


Perimeter of triangle = a + b + c


Perimeter of triangle = 15 + 8 + 17


Perimeter of triangle = 40 cm


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