The Pythagorean Theorem

Notes
 What is a right triangle?

hypotenuse
leg

right angle
leg

It is a triangle that has an angle that is 90

degrees.

The two sides that make up the right angle
are called legs.

The side opposite the right angle is the
hypotenuse.

The Pythagorean Theorem

In a right triangle, if a and b are the
measures of the legs and c is the
hypotenuse, then

a2 + b2 = c2.

Note: The hypotenuse, c, is always
the longest side.

a + b = c
2 2 2

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/proof/puzzle/theorem.html



1. Find the length of the hypotenuse

122 + 162 = c2

12 in
144 + 256 = c2

400 = c2

Take the square root

of both sides.

16 in





400 = c 2


C = 20
The hypotenuse is 20 inches long.

2. Find the length of the hypotenuse

52 + 72 = c2

5 cm

25 + 49 = c2

74 = c2

Take the square root of both
7 cm
sides.



2
74 = c
C 8.6
The hypotenuse is about 8.6 cm long.

 3. Find the length of the hypotenuse
given that the legs of a right triangle
are 6 ft and 12 ft.

1. 180 &.
2. 324 &.
3. 13.42 &.
4. 18 &.
The Pythagorean Theorem

In a right triangle, if a and b are the
measures of the legs and c is the
hypotenuse, then

a2 + b2 = c2.

If we know the length of two sides of
the triangle, and we know that the
triangle is a right triangle, we can
find the other side.

1. Find the length of the missing leg.

4 cm
10 cm
42 + b2 = 102

16 + b2 = 100

-16 -16

b2 = 84

2
b = 84
b 9.2
The leg is about 9.2 cm long.

2. Find the length of the missing leg.

13 in
a2 + 122 = 132

a2 + 144 = 169

-144 -144

12 in

a2 = 25

2
a = 25
a = 5
The leg is 5 inches long.

3. Find the length of the missing side
of a right triangle if one leg is 4 ft
and the hypotenuse is 8 ft.

1. 24 &.
2. 4 &.
3. 6.9 &.
4. 8.9 &.

The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem

Ex: The measures of three sides of a
triangle are given below. Determine
whether each triangle is a right triangle.
73 , 3, and 8

Which side is the biggest?

The square root of 73 (= 8.5)! This must be
the hypotenuse (c).

Plug your information into the Pythagorean
Theorem. It doesnt matter which number
is a or b.

Sides: 73 , 3, and 8
32 + 82 = ( 73 ) 2

9 + 64 = 73

73 = 73

Since this is true, the triangle is a
right triangle!! If it was not true, it
would not be a right triangle.

Example 2:
Determine whether the triangle is a right
triangle given the sides 6, 9, and 45