The length of two sides of a right triangle are 12 inches and 15 inches what is the difference between the two possible lenght of the third side of the triangle

Assume the 3rd side is the hypotenuse:

a² + b² = c²

c² = 12² + 15²

c² = 369

c = √369

c = 19.21 inches (nearest hundredth)

Assume the 3rd side is not the hypotenuse:

a² + b² = c²

12² + b² = 15²

b² = 15² - 12²

b² = 81

b = √81

b = 9 inches

Difference between the two length:

19.21 - 9 = 10.21 inches

Answer: 10.21 inches