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Guided Notes Pythagorean Theorem 1

This document provides notes on the Pythagorean theorem. It defines the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle, gives examples of identifying these parts, and provides practice problems for identifying and solving for missing sides. It also discusses determining if given lengths form a right triangle using the theorem, provides examples problems, and lists some common Pythagorean triples. Finally, it notes there are special right triangles.

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1K views

Guided Notes Pythagorean Theorem 1

This document provides notes on the Pythagorean theorem. It defines the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle, gives examples of identifying these parts, and provides practice problems for identifying and solving for missing sides. It also discusses determining if given lengths form a right triangle using the theorem, provides examples problems, and lists some common Pythagorean triples. Finally, it notes there are special right triangles.

Uploaded by

api-470562131
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Applications: Pythagorean Theorem Notes

Key Concept: Identifying Parts of Triangle:


 Legs: 2 sides forming right angle (a, b)
 Hypotenuse: side opposite the right angle; longest side of triangle (c)

Example: Identifying Parts of Triangle


Identify the legs and hypotenuse of the following right triangles:
17 Legs: 8, 15 (make up right ∟)
8 Hypotenuse: 17 (largest # & opposite right ∟)
15

Provided below are lengths of a right triangle. Identify the legs and
hypotenuse.
 6,10, 8 Hypotenuse: 10 (largest), Legs: 6 and 8
 9, 12, 15 Hypotenuse: 15 (largest), Legs: 9 and 12

Practice: Identifying Parts of Triangle


Identify the legs and hypotenuse of the following right triangles:
5 40 12
3 30 5
4 50 13

Provided below are lengths of a right triangle. Identify the legs and
hypotenuse.
a. 12,13, 5 Hypotenuse:____ Legs: __ and ____

b. 9, 12, 15 Hypotenuse:____ Legs: __ and ____

c. 25, 7, 24 Hypotenuse:____ Legs: __ and ____

App: Pythagorean Theorem 1 Rev B


Applications: Pythagorean Theorem Notes
Key Concept: Pythagorean Theorem
 Pythagorean theorem: a2 + b2 = c2 (for right angles)
 Pythagorean Theorem is used to find the length of a side of a right
triangle when the lengths of the other 2 sides are known.
if a2 + b2 = c2 then = √c2 = c
or
if a2 = c2 - b2 then a = √a2 =

if 32 + 42 = 52 then = √52 = 5
or
if 3 = 52 - 42 then 3 = √32 =
2

Examples: Solve for Missing Side


Using the Pythagorean Theorem, solve for the missing side:

6 x Step 1: Identify legs & hypotenuse


Hypotenuse: c = x, Legs: a=6, b=8
8
Step 2: Plug in values in a2 + b2 = c2 and solve
62 + 82 = x2
36 + 64 = x2
100 = x2
10 = x

x 17 Step 1: Identify legs & hypotenuse


Hypotenuse: c = 17, Legs: a=x, b=15
15
Step 2: Plug in values in a2 = c2 - b2 and solve
x2 = 172 - 52
x2 = 289 -225
x2 = 64
x =8

App: Pythagorean Theorem 2 Rev B


Applications: Pythagorean Theorem Notes
Practice: Solve for Missing Side
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, solve for the missing side:

1. Solve for a 2. Solve for c 3. Solve for b


15 10
a 24 2 6
12 c
b

4. Solve for a 5. Solve for c 6. Solve for b


10 5
a 12 4 6
8 c
b

Key Concept: Determining if lengths are sides of right triangle


 When given 3 sides, identify your hypotenuse and legs with the
hypotenuse being the largest number.
 Plug in values into the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
 If the equation is true, then you have a right triangle
 If a2 + b2 > c2 then you have an acute triangle
 If a2 + b2 < c2 then you have an obtuse triangle

Examples: Determining if lengths are sides of right triangle


Determine whether the given lengths are sides of a right triangle.
a. 3, 9, 6 b. 6,10, 8
hypotenuse: 9; legs: 3, 6 hypotenuse: 10; legs 6, 8
2 2 2
3 +6 =9 62 + 82 = 102
9 + 36 = 81 36 + 64 = 100
45 ≠ 81 100 = 100
No, obtuse triangle Yes
App: Pythagorean Theorem 3 Rev B
Applications: Pythagorean Theorem Notes
Practice: Determining if lengths are sides of right triangle
Determine whether the given lengths are sides of a right triangle.
a. 20, 21, 29 b. 16,30,34 c. 7, 24, 25

d. 24, 60, 66 e. 23,18,14 f. 9, 12, 15

Key Concept: Pythagorean Triples


There are many common sets of 3 whole numbers that satisfy the
Pythagorean Theorem. Memorize the following Pythagorean Triples. They
come in handy and help save you time.
 3, 4, 5  5, 12, 13  7, 24, 25  8, 15, 17  9, 40, 41

NOTE: The largest number must be the hypotenuse in order for these to
work.

Key Concept: Special Right Triangles

App: Pythagorean Theorem 4 Rev B

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