Understanding Pythagorean

Theorem and its

Applications
Definition:
In a right triangle, the square of
the length of the hypotenuse is
equal to the sum of the squares
of the lengths of the other two
sides.
 is a right triangle. A
Reason: one of the three
angles of a triangle is 90.
That is, right angle is at
vertex B.

B C
What are the sides of A
right ?
Answer: AB, BC and CA
are the sides of right
triangle.

B C
What is the side opposite A
to right angle in right
and what is it called?
Answer: The side
opposite to right angle in
right is AC and it is
called hypotenuse. C
B
What is the square of the A
length of the hypotenuse
in right ?
Answer:

B C
What is the sum of the A
squares of the lengths of
the other two sides, i.e.,
AB and BC in right ?
Answer:

B C
Now, by Pythagorean A
theorem, in a right ,
=

B C
 Some numerical problems on Pythagorean theorem
Q: In right if AB = and BC = , find AC.
Answer: In right , AB = and BC = . A
In right by Pythagorean theorem,
=
=

Therefore, AC = 5 cm
B C
Q: In right if AB = and AC = , find BC.
Answer: In right , AB = and AC = .
In right by Pythagorean theorem,
A
=
=

Therefore, BC = 4 cm
B C
 Some real life applications of Pythagorean
theorem
Q: A ladder is leaning against a wall. The base
P
is 5 meters from the wall, and the ladder is 8

s
meters long. How high up the wall does the

er
et
m
ladder reach?

=8
r

Height of the wall

de
Answer: Let PQ be the height of the wall.

ad
l
he
PR be the length of the ladder. PR = 8 meters.

t
of
th
RQ be the distance between the foot of the

ng
Le
ladder and the foot of the wall. RQ = 5 meters.
As the wall is always perpendicular to the 5 meters
R Q
ground, the wall makes an angle of 90º with the
ground.
So,
In right , PR = 8 m and RQ = 5 m.
P
By Pythagorean theorem, =
=

Height of the wall

de
ad
l
het
of
th
ng
Le
Therefore, the height of the wall is 6.24 m.
R Q
Q: A rectangular field has sides of 9 meters and
12 meters. What is the length of the diagonal?
P S
Answer: Let QR be the length of the

9 meters
rectangular
field.
PQ be the breadth of the rectangular field.
And, PR be the length of the diagonal of the
Q 12 meters R
rectangular field.
In a rectangle, the length and breadth are
perpendicular.
So,
Let’s find the length of the diagonal PR.
Now, from right , by Pythagorean theorem, P S
=

9 meters
=
=
=
Q 12 meters R

Therefore, the length of the diagonal of the

rectangular field is 15 meters.
Q: An airplane travels 400 miles east and then
300 miles north. What is the straight-line
distance between the starting and ending C

points?

300 miles North

Answer: Let’s assume the airplane starts at
point A and stops at point C.
From the point A, it has travelled towards East
for a distance of about 400 miles.
B
And, at point B, it changed its direction and A 400 miles East

travelled towards North for a distance of about

300 miles.
So,
And, AC is the distance between starting and
ending points of Airplane.
From right ABC, by Pythagorean theorem,
= C

300 miles North

le s
mi
50

A 400 miles East B

Therefore, the straight-line distance between

starting and ending points is 50 miles.
 Some more real life applications of Pythagorean
theorem
Construction: Ensures buildings are structurally sound by
calculating diagonal supports.
Navigation: Helps determine distances in maps or GPS,
like how far you'll travel if you drive straight from point A
to point B.
Carpentry: Ensures precise angles and measurements for
crafting furniture, stairs, or any wooden structures.
Sports: Measures distances on playing fields or courts,
helping athletes understand their performance metrics.
Technology: Used in designing screens (TV, computer) to
ensure the diagonal size fits the width and height
 I hope you’ve
understood the
Pythagorean theorem
and its importance in our
Thank you
real life.