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Understanding Pythagoras' Theorem

This document covers Pythagoras' Theorem, emphasizing its application to right-angled triangles and the identification of the hypotenuse. It provides the formula a² + b² = c², examples of finding missing sides, and instructions for transposing the theorem to solve for shorter sides. Additionally, it includes activities for practice and reinforces the prerequisites of algebra and polygons.

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Andre Maxwell
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11 views6 pages

Understanding Pythagoras' Theorem

This document covers Pythagoras' Theorem, emphasizing its application to right-angled triangles and the identification of the hypotenuse. It provides the formula a² + b² = c², examples of finding missing sides, and instructions for transposing the theorem to solve for shorter sides. Additionally, it includes activities for practice and reinforces the prerequisites of algebra and polygons.

Uploaded by

Andre Maxwell
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Geometry and Trigonometry

Date: September 2021 (lesson 1)

Topic: Pythagoras’ Theorem

Prerequisites: Algebra, Polygons

Reference: Mathematics: A Complete Course, Volume 1 by Raymond Toolsie pg. 462

Specific Objectives:

• Identify the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle


• To understand Pythagoras’ theorem as the sum of squares. That is:

The area of square a plus the area of square b is equal to the area of square c.

• Recall the formula

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2
• Apply Pythagoras’ theorem to right angled triangles

The Hypotenuse

A right-angled triangle has three named sides. The side which we are going to speak about
now is the hypotenuse side. This side is the longest side of a right-angled triangle and is
always opposite (directly in front) of the right angle.

Pythagoras’ Theorem Definition

Pythagoras’ theorem was developed by the Greek mathematician Pythagoras who discovered
an interesting property involving right-angled triangles. While experimenting he realized that
the sum of the squared lengths of the two shorter sides is equal to the squared length of
the hypotenuse. That is visually:
Let the number of boxes represent the area of each square. Also, the squares represent
visually squaring the length of the sides. If you count the red and blue squares and add them,
they equal the number of green squares.

Formula and Application

From this Pythagoras derived the formula:

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2

This formula only applies to right-angled triangles. Lets apply the formula to the triangle
below:

Example 1:
Find the length of 𝑥.

12 cm

5 cm

Let 𝑎 = 12, and 𝑏 = 5


𝑥 2 = 144 + 25

𝑥 2 = 169

√𝑥 2 = √169

𝑥 = 13 cm

What you may have missed:

• The shorter sides can be either a or b or vice versa. Referring to the example above,
𝑎 = 5 and 𝑏 = 12 is also a valid assignment.

• The hypotenuse must always be c. Again, referring to the example 𝑐 = 𝑥.


Transposing Pythagoras’ Theorem

What if one wants to find a shorter side? This could be done using transposition.

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2

Making 𝑎2 the subject

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2

𝑎2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑏 2

Making 𝑏 2 the subject

𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2

𝑏2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2

To simplify, recall that 𝑎 and 𝑏 are interchangeable. It is only important to know that the
shorter side is to be subtracted from the longer side.

Example 2:

Find the value of 𝑥.

x cm

10 cm
Let 𝑐 = 26, and 𝑏 = 10
𝑥 2 + 102 = 262

𝑥 2 = 676 − 100

√𝑥 2 = √576

𝑥 = 24 cm
Example 3:

Find the value of 𝑥.

6 cm

x cm

Taking a slightly different approach

Let 𝑐 = 6.5, and 𝑎 = 6


𝑏2 = 𝑐 2 − 𝑎2

𝑥 2 = 42.25 − 36

√𝑥 2 = √6.25

𝑥 = 2.5 cm
Activity

1. Find the value of 𝑥 for the following triangles:

a. b.

3 cm x cm

x cm 30 cm

c.

6 cm

8 cm

2. State Pythagoras’ Theorem

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