Which number completes the pythagorean triple: 12, 18 20 22 24

The first thing that would probably come to mind when solving this problem would be to plug in the numbers into the equations. Like this  12^2 + 16^2 = x^2 (X = to the number that you plug in from the answer bank.). This is correct thinking so you can try this:

144 + 256 = 400.

So your square has to be equal to 400.

And it most common knowledge that the square root of 400 is equal to 20.

So your answer is 20.

step-by-step explanation:

always plug in x. in this case, x equals 4.

i'm going to first solve 4(2+3x)

1) 4(2+3(4)) use pemdas to solve.

i'm going to multiply whats in the parenthesis first, so 3 times 4=12.

2)4 (2+12) i'm then going to multiply 4 by both numbers in the parenthesis (because multiplying comes before adding)

4 times 2= 8.   4 times 12= 48

4) (8+48)= 56 (answer)

i'm then going to solve 8+12x and plug in 4 for x.

1) 8 +12(4)

multiplying comes before adding, so i'm gonna multiply 12 and 4.

12 times 4= 48.

2) 8+48=56

both equal the same!

just needed some points but try socratic