This is a right triangle and the hypotenuse is what we are looking for, c. The formula to find the length of the hypotenuse is Pythagroean's Theorem, or [tex]c^2=a^2+b^2[/tex]. Let's let a = 8 and b = 12. Filling in the formula then we have [tex]c^2=8^2+12^2[/tex] and [tex]c^2= 64+144[/tex] and [tex]c^2=208[/tex]. c then is equal to [tex] \sqrt{208} [/tex]. 208 is not a perfect square, so if you simplify it and use the decimal form, it is 14.422, but if you leave it in radical form it simplifies to [tex]4 \sqrt{13} [/tex]. I don't see that as one of your choices, but that's the answer.
