Mckenzie and Cara both tried to find the missing side of the right triangle.


A right triangle is shown. One leg is labeled 5 and the other is labeled 13. A right angles is labeled in between the legs.


Mckenzie's Work Cara's Work

a2 + b2 = c2 a2 + b2 = c2

52 + 132 = c2 52 + b2 = 132

25 + 169 = c2 25 + b2 = 169

194 = c2 b2 = 144

Square root 194 equals square root c squared. Square root b
squared equals
square root 144.

13.93 ≈ c b ≈ 12


Is either of them correct? Explain your reasoning.