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Pythagoras Theorem

The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It was introduced by the Greek mathematician Pythagoras, although it existed in other civilizations earlier. The theorem can be expressed algebraically as c2 = a2 + b2, where c is the hypotenuse and a and b are the other two sides. It has been proven using both algebraic and similar triangles methods.

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Pythagoras Theorem

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Pythagoras Theorem

The Pythagoras theorem which is also referred to as the Pythagorean theorem

explains the relationship between the three sides of a right-angled triangle.
According to the Pythagorean theorem, the square of the hypotenuse is equal
to the sum of the squares of the other two sides of a triangle. Let us learn
more about the Pythagoras theorem, the Pythagoras theorem formula, and the
proof of Pythagoras theorem along with examples.

What is the Pythagoras Theorem?

The Pythagoras theorem states that if a triangle is a right-angled triangle, then
the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other
two sides. Observe the following triangle ABC, in which we have BC2 = AB2 +
AC2. Here, AB is the base, AC is the altitude (height), and BC is the
hypotenuse. It is to be noted that the hypotenuse is the longest side of a right-
angled triangle.
Pythagoras Theorem Equation
The Pythagoras theorem equation is expressed as, c2 = a2 + b2, where 'c' =
hypotenuse of the right triangle and 'a' and 'b' are the other two legs. Hence,
any triangle with one angle equal to 90 degrees produces a Pythagoras
triangle and the Pythagoras equation can be applied in the triangle.

History of Pythagoras Theorem

Pythagoras theorem was introduced by the Greek Mathematician Pythagoras
of Samos. He was an ancient Greek philosopher who formed a group of
mathematicians who worked religiously on numbers and lived like monks.
Although Pythagoras introduced the theorem, there is evidence that proves
that it existed in other civilizations too, 1000 years before Pythagoras was
born. The oldest known evidence is seen between the 20th to the 16th century
B.C in the Old Babylonian Period.
Pythagoras Theorem Formula
The Pythagorean theorem formula states that in a right triangle ABC, the
square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two
legs. If AB and AC are the sides and BC is the hypotenuse of the triangle,
then: BC2 = AB2 + AC2. In this case, AB is the base, AC is the altitude or the
height, and BC is the hypotenuse.

Another way to understand the Pythagorean theorem formula is using the

following figure which shows that the area of the square formed by the longest
side of the right triangle (the hypotenuse) is equal to the sum of the area of
the squares formed by the other two sides of the right triangle.

In a right-angled triangle, the Pythagoras Theorem Formula is expressed as:

c2 = a2 + b2

Where,

 'c' = hypotenuse of the right triangle

 'a' and 'b' are the other two legs.
Pythagoras Theorem Proof
The Pythagoras theorem can be proved in many ways. Some of the most
common and widely used methods are the algebraic method and the similar
triangles method. Let us have a look at both these methods individually in
order to understand the proof of this theorem.

Proof of Pythagorean Theorem Formula using the Algebraic

Method
The proof of the Pythagoras theorem can be derived using the algebraic
method. For example, let us use the values a, b, and c as shown in the
following figure and follow the steps given below:

 Step 1: This method is also known as the 'proof by rearrangement'. Take 4 congruent right-
angled triangles, with side lengths 'a' and 'b', and hypotenuse length 'c'. Arrange them in such
a way that the hypotenuses of all the triangles form a tilted square. It can be seen that in the
square PQRS, the length of the sides is 'a + b'. The four right triangles have 'b' as the base, 'a'
as the height and, 'c' as the hypotenuse.
 Step 2: The 4 triangles form the inner square WXYZ as shown, with 'c' as the four sides.
 Step 3: The area of the square WXYZ by arranging the four triangles is c2.
 Step 4: The area of the square PQRS with side (a + b) = Area of 4 triangles + Area of the
square WXYZ with side 'c'. This means (a + b)2 = [4 × 1/2 × (a × b)] + c2.This leads to a2 +
b2 + 2ab = 2ab + c2. Therefore, a2 + b2 = c2. Hence, the Pythagoras theorem formula is
proved.

Pythagorean Theorem Formula Proof using Similar Triangles

Two triangles are said to be similar if their corresponding angles are of equal
measure and their corresponding sides are in the same ratio. Also, if the
angles are of the same measure, then by using the sine law, we can say that
the corresponding sides will also be in the same ratio. Hence, corresponding
angles in similar triangles lead us to equal ratios of side lengths.

Derivation of Pythagorean Theorem Formula

Consider a right-angled triangle ABC, right-angled at B. Draw a perpendicular
BD meeting AC at D.
In △ABD and △ACB,

 ∠A = ∠A (common)
 ∠ADB = ∠ABC (both are right angles)

Thus, △ABD ∼ △ACB (by AA similarity criterion)

Similarly, we can prove △BCD ∼ △ACB.

Thus △ABD ∼ △ACB, Therefore, AD/AB = AB/AC. We can say that AD × AC

= AB2.

Similarly, △BCD ∼ △ACB. Therefore, CD/BC = BC/AC. We can also say that
CD × AC = BC2.

Adding these 2 equations, we get AB2 + BC2 = (AD × AC) + (CD × AC)

AB2 + BC2 =AC(AD +DC)

AB2 + BC2 =AC2

Hence proved.