Take the longer leg length as [tex]x[/tex]
[tex] (x-8)^2+x^2=(x+8)^2 \\ \\ x^2-16x+64+x^2=x^2+16x+64 \\ \\ x^2-32x=0 [/tex]
Use the formular
[tex] x={ \frac{-b+ \sqrt{ b^2-4ac}}{2a} } \\ \\ x={ \frac{32+32}{2} } \\ \\ x=32[/tex]
∴ shorter leg = 32 - 8 = 24ft
longer leg = 32ft
hypotenuse = 32 + 8 = 40ft