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Pythech

Pythagoras' theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. The document provides examples of using Pythagoras' theorem to find the length of missing sides of right-angled triangles. It discusses labeling the sides a, b, and c where c is always the hypotenuse, and using the formula c2 = a2 + b2. The document also provides sample questions calculating missing sides and proving triangles are right-angled.

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ali kundi
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93 views6 pages

Pythech

Pythagoras' theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. The document provides examples of using Pythagoras' theorem to find the length of missing sides of right-angled triangles. It discusses labeling the sides a, b, and c where c is always the hypotenuse, and using the formula c2 = a2 + b2. The document also provides sample questions calculating missing sides and proving triangles are right-angled.

Uploaded by

ali kundi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXAMPLES OF USING PYTHAGORUS THEOREM

Pythagorus Theorem states that the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the
squares on the other two sides

c (hypotenuse)

b
Always label the sides ,

c must be the hypotenuse (side opposite the right angle)


c = a

Always start your calculation by writing

When to use Pythagorus?


There must be a right angle in the triangle
You need to be given the length of 2 of the sides
You are not being asked to calculate an angle
Typical questions:
Finding the Hypotenuse
In a game two umpires stand on a pitch as shown.
10 m

U m p ire
N o t to s c a le

22 m

U m p ire

How far apart are the two umpires?


..................................... c = a
...c =

.............................................................. (1)

a b )

c =

........................................................... (1)

22 10 ) =

24.16 m

.................................... (1)

You would lose a mark if you didnt write the correct unit ( metres in this case)
(if the question doesnt say to what degree of accuracy, use common sense, i.e. if using metres,
2 decimal places gives the cm which is realistically measurable)
Finding one of the other sides

The diagram shows a right-angled triangle.

13 cm

5 cm

N o t d ra w n a c c u ra te ly

Calculate the length of the missing side


...................................... c = a
...b =

................................................................... (1)

c - a )

b =

........................................................... (1)

13 - 5 ) =

12 cm

.................................... (1)

Proving a triangle is right-angled


The sketch shows triangle ABC.
AB = 40 cm, AC = 41 cm and CB = 9 cm.
C

41 cm
A

N o t d raw n
a c c u ra te ly

9 cm
40 cm
B

By calculation, show that triangle ABC is a right angled triangle.


.....If triangle ABC has a right angle then c = a

41 = 40
..................................... c = 1681.............

........................................ (1)

9........................................

b = 1681 .

....................Therefore triangle ABC is a right angled triangle................................ (1)


if a

didn,t equal c then triangle ABC doesnt have a right angle

Name __________________________________ Sample Questions Pythagorus

(1)

1.
A

8 cm

11 cm

Diagram NOT accurately drawn


ABC is a right-angled triangle.

AB = 8 cm,

BC = 11 cm.

Calculate the length of AC.


Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

cm
(Total 3 marks)

2.
A

1 2 .6 c m

4 .7 c m

AC = 12.6 cm. BC = 4.7 cm.

Diagram NOT accurately drawn

Angle ABC = 90.

Calculate the length of AB.


Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.

.. cm
(Total 3 marks)
reference: mymaths: Shape

3.

A support for a flagpole is attached at a height of 3 m and is fixed to the ground at a

distance of 1.2 m from the base.

N o t to s c a le
x

3 m

1 .2 m

Calculate the length of the support (marked x on the diagram).


..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
Answer ............................................................. m
(3)

4.

The diagram shows a kite ABCD.


A

15cm

36cm
C

n o t d ra w n to s c a le

Calculate the length of AC.


Remember to state the units in your answer.
..
.

Answer .
(3)

5)
A
not to scale

30 cm
18 cm

13.5 cm

BDC is a straight line.


Use Pythagoras theorem
(a)

to calculate the length of AC,


..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................. ..

(b)

(3)

to calculate the length of BD,


..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

to show that angle BAC is a right angle.


..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(3)

ANSWERS
Significant Figures:

Pythagorus

If asked to give your answer to 3 s.f.

(3 significant figures)

you count 3 in from the digit with the largest place value e.g.
2447386 , the digit with the largest (most significant value) is 2447386 because it represents 2 tens
So 2447386 written to 3 s.f .

2447386 is 245 (the 4 is rounded up to 5 as the digit after it is 7

1) c = a + b

2) c = a + b

c = (a + b)

[1]

a = (c - b)

[1]

AC= (8 +11)

[1]

AB = (126 - 47)

[1]

x = 136

[1]

BD = 117cm

[1]

3) c = a + b

4) c = a + b

c = (a + b)

[1]

c = (a + b)

[1]

x = (12 +3)

[1]

AC = (15 +36)

[1]

x = 323

[1]

AC = 39 cm

[1]

(lose a mark if cm not written)

5) a) c = a + b
c = (a + b)

b) c = a + b
[1]

AC = (18 +135)
AC = 225cm

[1]
[1]

a = (c - b)
BD = (30 - 18)
BD = 24 cm

c) If ABC is a right angle then


[1]
[1]
[1]

(lose a mark if cm not written) (lose a mark if cm not written)


If wondering what to round to,
if answer is in cm, usually to 1 d.p. (mm)
if in metres, to 2 d.p. (cm)
if in Km, to 3 d.p. (metres)
i.e. to the next smallest unit of measurement

AB + AC = BC

[1]

30 + 225 = 375
140625 = 140625 [1]
Therefore BAC is a right angle
[1]

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