Question #N1018

In a right triangle, one angle measures 30 degrees. The length of the hypotenuse of this triangle is 8. What is the length of the shorter leg?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 4\sqrt{3}
D. 8\sqrt{3}

Correct Answer is: B

A 30-60-90 right triangle has side ratios of $x$, $x\sqrt{3}$, and $2x$. Since the hypotenuse is 8, we know $2x = 8$, so $x=4$. The shorter leg is equal to $x$, so its length is 4.