Answer:
17.7 cm^2
Step-by-step explanation:
The formula for finding the hypotenuse using the pythagorean theorem is:
[tex]a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}[/tex]
or, it can also be [tex]c=\sqrt{a^2+b^2}[/tex]. But I will be using the first formula.
We first plug in the "legs" to the equation:
[tex]a^{2} =17^{2} \\b^{2}=5^2[/tex]
[tex]17^2+5^2=c^2\\17^2+5^2=314[/tex]
Now, you find the square root of 314.
[tex]\sqrt{314}=17.72^2[/tex]
And finally, just round to the nearest tenths place!
[tex]17.7^2[/tex]
