Choice C is correct. Since the triangle is an isosceles right triangle, the two sides that form the right angle must be the same length. Let x be the length, in inches, of each of those sides. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, a
2 +b
2 = c
2, where c is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the lengths of the other two sides. Substituting x for a, x for b, and 58 for c in this equation yields x
2 + x
2 = 582, or 2x
2 = 58
2 . Dividing each side of this equation by 2 yields x
2 =
5822 , or x
2 =
2·5824.Taking the square root of each side of this equation yields two solutions: x =
58√22 and x = -
58√22. The value of x must be positive because it represents a side length. Therefore, x =
58√22, or x = 29
√2. The perimeter, in inches, of the triangle is 58 + x + x , or 58 +2x. Substituting 29
√2 for x in this expression gives a perimeter, in inches, of 58 +2(29
√2), or 58 +58
√2.
Choice A is incorrect. This is the length, in inches, of each of the congruent sides of the triangle, not the perimeter, in inches, of the triangle. Choice B is incorrect. This is the sum of the lengths, in inches, of the congruent sides of the triangle, not the perimeter, in inches, of the triangle. Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.