In RT △ ABC, the angle ACB = 90 °, CD ⊥ AB in D, ab = 13cm, the sum of AC and BC is equal to 17cm

In RT △ ABC, the angle ACB = 90 °, CD ⊥ AB in D, ab = 13cm, the sum of AC and BC is equal to 17cm

Because AC + BC = 17cm, ab = 13cm, let AC = xcm, then BC = (17-x) cm. According to Pythagorean theorem, AB ^ 2 + BC ^ 2 = AB ^ 2, then x ^ 2 + (17-x) ^ 2 = 13 ^ 2. Solving the quadratic equation of one variable, we can get x = 5 or 12. This shows that AC and BC are 5cm and 12cm long respectively (no matter x equals 5cm or 12cm). Because CD ⊥ AB is in D, so CD is a hypotenuse