UNIT: SURFACE AREA, VOLUME, PYTHAGOREAN

THEOREM
7TH GRADE
MR. RAMIREZ

The Pythagorean Theorem

This presentation was adapted from Math Centre, http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/mc-ty-pythagoras-2009-1.pdf.
LESSON OBJECTIVES AND STANDARD
Objectives:
...to find the measure of a missing side of a right triangle.
...to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find solutions to word problems.
Standard:
CCSS.Math.Content.8.G.B.7
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in
right triangles in real-world and mathematical problems in two and
three dimensions
 IS IT POSSIBLE…?
This is a right triangle. It has one 90 degree angle, which is on the
bottom left corner. Is it possible for any triangle to have more than
one 90 degree angle in a triangle?

Educational Hook
IMPORTANT VOCABULARY

PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM – theorem that says in any right

triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs is equal to the square
of the hypotenuse

HYPOTENUSE (of a right triangle) – the longest side of a right

triangle...opposite of the right angle

LEGS (of a right triangle) – the two shorter sides of a right

Dual coding technique

 WHO CREATED THE PYTHAGOREAN
THEOREM?
Named after the
Greek mathematician
and philosopher,
Pythagoras.

The Pythagorean
Theorem was one
of the earliest
theorems known to
ancient
civilizations.
He is credited with
many contributions to Pythagoras
mathematics although founded the
some of them may Pythagorean
have actually been School of
the work of his Mathematics in
students. Cortona, a Greek
seaport in Southern
Italy. Dual coding technique
THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

Given any right triangle, A2 + B2 = C2

C
A

B
YOU CAN VERIFY THE
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM WITH
THE FOLLOWING:
Given a piece of graph
paper, make a right
triangle. Then make
squares of the right
triangle. Then find
the square’s areas.

Dual Coding technique

 HOW TO SOLVE AN EQUATION USING THE
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

6. Take a
1. Draw a square root to
3. Substitute find the value
picture (if one 2. Identify and the known 4. Square the 5. IF a leg is of the
isn’t already label the legs values into the unknown,
provided for and the two known isolate that remaining
Pythagorean values variable
you) hypotenuse Theorem variable part
(Round your
answer when
necessary.)

Smart Art
 EXAMPLE
In the following figure if A = 3 and B = 4, Find C.
A2 + B2 = C2
32 + 42 = C 2
C 9 + 16 = C2
A 25 = 2
C
5 = C

B
 NOW YOU TRY USING THE
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
1. A=8, B= 15, Find C

2. A=7, B= 24, Find C

A
C
3. A=9, B= 40, Find C

4. A=10, B=24, Find C B

5. A =6, B=8, Find C

Progress Monitoring Question
 FINDING THE LEGS OF A RIGHT
TRIANGLE:
In the following figure if B = 5 and C = 13, Find A.
A2 + B2 = C2

A2 +52 = 132

C A2 + 25 = 169
A
A2+25-25=169-25

B A2 = 144 A = 12
FIND THE MISSING SIDE. MAKE SURE TO FIRST
DRAW OUT YOUR TRIANGLE AND LABEL WHAT'S
GIVEN

1) A=8, C =10 , Find B

2) A=15, C=17 , Find B
3) B =10, C=26 , Find A
4) A=15, B=20, Find C
5) A =12, C=16, Find B
6) B =5, C=10, Find A
7) A =6, B =8, Find C
8) A=11, C=21, Find B
Progress monitoring question
 GIVEN THE LENGTHS OF THREE SIDES,
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A
RIGHT TRIANGLE ?
Given A = 6, B=8, and C=10, describe the triangle.
A2 + B2 = C2

C 62 +82 = 102
A
36 + 64 = 100

B This is true, so you have a right triangle.

 IF A 2 + B 2 > C 2, YOU HAVE AN ACUTE
TRIANGLE.
Given A = 4, B = 5, and C =6, describe the triangle.

A2 + B2 = C2

42 + 52 = 62
A B

16 + 25 = 36
C
41 > 36, so we have an acute triangle.
IF A 2 + B 2 < C 2, YOU HAVE AN OBTUSE
TRIANGLE.

Given A = 4, B = 6, and C =8, describe the triangle.

A2 + B2 = C2

42 + 62 = 82 A
B
16 + 36 = 64
C
52 < 64, so we have an obtuse triangle.
DESCRIBE THE FOLLOWING TRIANGLES AS ACUTE, RIGHT, OR OBTUSE

1) A=9, B=40, C=41

2) A=10, B=15, C=20
3) A=2, B=5, C=6
4) A=12, B=16, C=20
5) A=11, B=12, C=14
A
C
6) A=2, B=3, C=4
7) A=1, B=7, C=7
8) A=90, B=120, C=150
B
Progress monitoring question
REAL LIFE EXAMPLES
WHAT SIZE TV SHOULD YOU BUY?
Mr. James saw an advertisement of a T.V. in the newspaper where it is
mentioned that the T.V. is 16 inches high and 14 inches wide. Calculate
the diagonal length of its screen for Mr. James. By using Pythagoras'
theorem it can be calculated as:
(16)2 + (14)2 =
256 + 196 = C2
√452 = C
21 inches approx. = C

Dual coding technique (image)

YOUR TURN

Finding the Right Sized Computer: Mary wants to get a

computer monitor for her desk which can hold a 22 inch
monitor. She has found a monitor 16 inches wide and 10
inches high. Will the computer fit into Mary’s cabin? Use
Pythagoras' theorem to find out:

Progress monitoring question #2

GET CREATIVE
Now that you are aware of how to use the Pythagorean Theorem and
have realized that it can be used in the real world its time to get
creative. Create your own real life example problem like the one on
the last two slides. Make sure you draw an image of your
representation but do not include any of the measurements on the
image itself.
Pretend like your question could be seen on a future test and that your
other classmates will have to answer it. Make sure your question is as
challenging as can be.

CULMINATING ACTIVITY