Pythagoras
Over 2000 years ago there was an amazing discovery about triangles:
Pythagoras Theorem is an important topic in Maths, which explains the relation between the sides of a right-angled triangle. It is also sometimes called the Pythagorean Theorem. The formula and proof of this theorem are explained here with examples. Pythagoras theorem is basically used to find the length of an unknown side and angle of a triangle. Example 1A: Using the Pythagorean Theorem. Find the value of. Give your answer in simplest radical form. Pythagorean Theorem. Substitute 2 for a, 6 for b, and x for c. Find the positive square root. Simplify the radical.
When a triangle has a right angle (90°) ...
... and squares are made on each of the three sides, ...
... then the biggest square has the exact same area as the other two squares put together!
It is called 'Pythagoras' Theorem' and can be written in one short equation:
a2 + b2 = c2
Note:
- c is the longest side of the triangle
- a and b are the other two sides
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 to
the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
Sure ... ?
Let's see if it really works using an example.
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 Do I Use it?
Write it down as an equation:
Then we use algebra to find any missing value, as in these examples:
Example: Solve this triangle
You can also read about Squares and Square Roots to find out why √169 = 13
Pythagoras Theorem History
Example: Solve this triangle.
Example: What is the diagonal distance across a square of size 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 = 676
They 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 = 256
So, NO, it does not have a Right Angle
Example: Does this triangle have a Right Angle?
Does a2 + b2 = c2 ?
Yes, it does!
So this is a right-angled triangle
And You Can Prove The Theorem Yourself !
Get paper pen and 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, like this:
- Cut out the shapes
- Arrange them so that you can prove that the big square has the same area as the two squares on the other sides
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 watch the animation a few times to understand what is happening.
The purple triangle is the important one.
Pythagoras Theorem Presentation Template
| becomes |
We also have a proof by adding up the areas.
| Historical Note: while we call it Pythagoras' Theorem, it was also known by Indian, Greek, Chinese and Babylonian mathematicians well before he lived ! |
Pythagoras Theorem Presentation Practice
Activity: A Walk in the Desert