Definition
The longest side of the triangle is called the "hypotenuse", so the formal definition is:
In a right angled triangle:the square of the hypotenuse is equal tothe sum of the squares of the other two sides.
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Example: A "3, 4, 5" triangle has a right angle in it.
 | Let"s check if the areas are the same: 32 + 42 = 52 Calculating this becomes: 9 + 16 = 25 It works ... Like Magic! |
Why Is This Useful?
If we know the lengths of two sides of a right angled triangle, we can find the length of the third side. (But remember it only works on right angled triangles!)
How vị I Use it?
Write it down as an equation:
 | a2 + b2 = c2 |
Example: Solve this triangle
Read Builder"s Mathematics to see practical uses for this.
Also read about Squares và Square Roots lớn find out why √169 = 13
Example: Solve this triangle.
Example: What is the diagonal distance across a square of kích thước 1?
It works the other way around, too: when the three sides of a triangle make a2 + b2 = c2, then the triangle is right angled.
Example: Does this triangle have a Right Angle?
Does a2 + b2 = c2 ?
a2 + b2 = 102 + 242 = 100 + 576 = 676 c2 = 262 = 676They are equal, so ...
Yes, it does have a Right Angle!
Example: Does an 8, 15, 16 triangle have a Right Angle?
Does 82 + 152 = 162 ?
82 + 152 = 64 + 225 = 289, but 162 = 256So, NO, it does not have a Right Angle
Example: Does this triangle have a Right Angle?
Does a2 + b2 = c2 ?
And You Can Prove The Theorem Yourself !
Get paper pen và scissors, then using the following animation as a guide:
Draw a right angled triangle on the paper, leaving plenty of space. Draw a square along the hypotenuse (the longest side) Draw the same sized square on the other side of the hypotenuse Draw lines as shown on the animation, lượt thích this:
Another, Amazingly Simple, Proof
Here is one of the oldest proofs that the square on the long side has the same area as the other squares.
Watch the animation, and pay attention when the triangles start sliding around.
You may want to lớn watch the animation a few times lớn understand what is happening.
The purple triangle is the important one.
Xem thêm: Cách Tìm Giá Trị Của M Để Hàm Số Đồng Biến Trên Khoảng, Nghịch Biến Trên Khoảng
 | becomes |  |
We also have a proof by adding up the areas.
Historical Note: while we hotline it Pythagoras" Theorem, it was also known by Indian, Greek, Chinese and Babylonian mathematicians well before he lived.
511,512,617,618, 1145, 1146, 1147, 2359, 2360, 2361
Activity: Pythagoras" TheoremActivity: A Walk in the Desert
Right Angled Triangles The Fishing Rod Pythagoras in 3d Pythagoras Generalizations Triangles Pythagorean Triples Pythagorean Theorem Algebra Proof