RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SIDES OF A RIGHT-ANGLED

TRIANGLE
1.

The hypotenuse is the longest side of a rightangled triangle. It is opposite to the right angle. For example,
B AB is the hypotenuse.

2. Pythagoras theorem states that for a rightangled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
B c a In ABC , BCA = 90o Then, c2 = a2+ b2 a2 = c2- b2 b2 = c2- a2

Example : Find the value of x.

18 cm x cm

Solution : x2+ 122 =182 x2 = 182-122 = 180 x= = 13.42 cm

12 cm

THE CONVERSE OF PYTHAGORAS THEOREM

The converse of Pythagoras Theorem states that if the square of the longest side of a triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other sides, then the triangle is a right-angled triangle.

In ABC, If c2 = a2+ b2 , then ABC is a rightangled triangle and BCA = 90o If c2 > a2+ b2 , then BCA is an obtuse angle. If c2 < a2+ b2 , then BCA is an acute angle.

Example : Determine whether BCA is an acute angle, obtuse angle or a right angle. a) b)
B 17 cm C 7 cm B 15 cm 6 cm 9 cm C 8 cm A A Solution : AB2 = 92 = 81 BC2+ AC2 = 62+ 72 = 36 + 49 = 85 Since AB2 < BC2+ AC2, BCA is an acute angle.

Solution : AB2 = 172 = 289 BC2+ AC2 = 152+ 82 = 225 + 64 = 289 Since AB2 = BC2+ AC2, BCA is a right angle.

EXERCISE QUIZ