Pythagorean Theorem

Learning Objectives

a. Describe the Pythagorean Theorem;

b. Prove the Pythagorean Theorem and;
c. Solving a Pythagorean Theorem in a real-life
situation.
 Pythagoras

Formulation of the Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagorean theorem

 In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of

the squares of the other two legs.
𝑎 2+ 𝑏2= 𝑐2

Let be the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse .

𝑎 2+ 𝑏2= 𝑐2

𝑐 𝑎 𝑐 𝑏
𝑚and 𝑏
= =
𝑎 𝑛

Or and
Examples:
1. Find the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose legs
have lengths 12cm and 9cm.

Solution:
Examples:
2. In right triangle DEC, if DE = 12 cm and DC = 10 cm. Find EC.

E
Solution:

C D
Examples:
3. If you place a 33-feet ladder against the top of a 16-feet building,
how many feet will the bottom of the ladder be from the bottom of the
building? Round to the nearest tenth of a foot.
 Converse of the
Pythagorean Theorem
 If the square of the longest side of a triangle is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other two side, then the triangle is a right triangle.

 Given:

Prove:
is a right triangle, and the right angle
is at C
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
5. Definition of right triangle.
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
5. Definition of right triangle.
6. Pythagorean Theorem
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
5. Definition of right triangle.
6. Pythagorean Theorem
7. Given
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
5. Definition of right triangle.
6. Pythagorean Theorem
7. Given
8. Substitution; Simplification
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
1. Draw line l. At point X on the line, Through a given point on a line, one
draw another line s perpendicular to and only line can be drawn to given
l. line.
2. On l, mark off XN = a. On s, mark Segment Measurement Postulate
off XM = b.
3. Draw and mark it as x. Two points determine a line.
4. Definition of right angle.
5. Definition of right triangle.
6. Pythagorean Theorem
7. Given
8. Substitution; Simplification
9. SSS Congruent Postulate
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
9. SSS Congruent Postulate
10. Corresponding Parts of Congruent
Triangles are Congruent
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
9. SSS Congruent Postulate
10. Corresponding Parts of Congruent
Triangles are Congruent
11. Definition of congruent angles
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
9. SSS Congruent Postulate
10. Corresponding Parts of Congruent
Triangles are Congruent
11. Definition of congruent angles
12. Substitution
 Given:
Prove: is a right triangle, and the right angle is at C

Statements Reasons
9. SSS Congruent Postulate
10. Corresponding Parts of Congruent
Triangles are Congruent
11. Definition of congruent angles
12. Substitution
13. is a right triangle Definition of right triangle
Examples:
1. Determine if a triangle with sides 5, 9, and 12 units is a right
triangle.

2
12 =144
52 +9 2=106
106 ≠ 144

Therefore, the triangle is not a right triangle.

Examples:
2. The lengths of the three sides of a triangle are given. Determine
whether the triangle is a right triangle. 15, 20, 25

152 +20 2=25 2 25

225+400=625 20

625=625 15

Therefore, the triangle is a right triangle.

Pythagorean theorem - In a right triangle, the
square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of
the squares of the other two legs.
1. A certain television is advertised as a 35-inch TV (the diagonal
length). If the width of the TV is 29 inches, how tall is the TV? Round
to the nearest tenth of an inch.
2. You start driving east for 4 miles, turn right, and drive south for
another 8 miles. At the end of driving, what is your straight line
distance from your starting point? Round to the nearest tenth of a
mile.
3. Solve for x. Round to the nearest tenth.