let o=opposite
let a=adjacent
let h=hypotenuse
perimeter=40 cm
h=17cm
o + a + h=perimeter
o + a + 17cm =40cm
o+ a=23cm
o=23 -a
o^2 + a^2=17^2
(23-a)^2 + a^2=289
529-46a+a^2+a^2=289
2a^2-46a+240=0
a^2-23a+120=0<----------quadratic equation?
(a-8)(a-15)
a=8cm or a=15cm