Suppose two sides of a triangle have lengths 16 inches and 11 inches. What are the possible lengths x of the third side?

A^2 + b^2 = c^2

*assuming x is the hypotonus*

x^2 = 11^2 + 16^2

x^2 = 377

x = square root 377

x = 19.4 [3sf]

OR

*assuming x is not the hypotonus

c^2 - a^2 = b^2

16^2 - 11^2 = x^2

x^2 = 135

x = square root 135

x = 11.6 [3sf]