The Pythagorean Theorem

The Right Triangle

A right triangle is a triangle that contains one right angle.

A right angle is 90 o Right Angle

Parts of a Right Triangle

Leg Leg Hypotenuse

The Pythagorean Theorem

a 2 + b 2 = c 2

c a b

Example 1

 Find the length of the hypotenuse.

4 c 3

Example 2

 Find the length of the hypotenuse.

8 c 6

Example 3

 Find the length of the hypotenuse

c 16 12

Example 4

 Find the length of the unknown side

b 13 12

Example 5

 Find the length of the unknown side.

17 15 a

Example 7

 Find the length of the unknown side.

24 25 b

Pythagorean Triple

 All of the side lengths of the triangles we have looked at form

Pythagorean Triples.



If the side lengths of a right triangle are all whole numbers, they are called Pythagorean Triples.

Pythagorean Triples

 List the Pythagorean Triples we have discussed.