Parts of a Right Triangle: Sides
In a right triangle there are three sides. The side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse.
Right triangle
The other two sides, which are adjacent (next to) the right angle, are called the legs.
Right triangle
Because the hypotenuse is opposite the largest angle, the right angle, the hypotenuse will always be the longest side.
Example:
A right triangle has side lengths 48, 60, and 36. Which side length is the length of the hypotenuse and which two are lengths of the legs?
Solution:
The longest side is always the hypotenuse, so 60 is the length of the hypotenuse.
