Explanation
We use the Pythagorean theorem formula to find the missing side length.
[tex]\begin{gathered} a^2+b^2=c^2 \\ \text{ Where} \\ a\text{ and }b\text{ are the sides} \\ c\text{ is the hypotenuse} \end{gathered}[/tex]
Then, we have:
[tex]\begin{gathered} a=x \\ b=16 \\ c=20 \end{gathered}[/tex][tex]\begin{gathered} a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2} \\ x^2+16^2=20^2 \\ x^2+256=400 \\ \text{ Subtract 256 from both sides} \\ x^2+256-256=400-256 \\ x^2=144 \\ $\text{ Apply square root to both sides of the equation}$ \\ \sqrt{x^2}=\sqrt{144} \\ x=12 \end{gathered}[/tex]Answer
The length of the missing side is 12.
