In geometry, a hypotenuse is the side of a right triangle that is opposite to the right angle. [1] It is the longest side of any such triangle; the two other shorter sides of such a triangle are called catheti, or legs.
To find the hypotenuse of a right triangle when the length of a side and its opposite angle are known, we use the given formula, which is called the Law of sines.
Hypotenuse Definition: In a right-angled triangle, the longest side or the side opposite to the right angle is termed hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is related to the base and the altitude of the triangle, by the formula: Hypotenuse 2 = Base 2 + Altitude 2.
First, identify the right angle. It’s the angle that measures 90 degrees and is usually marked with a small square in the corner. The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle. It’s always the longest side of the right triangle. The other two sides of the right triangle are called legs.