Mathematics

ALLEN
Pythagoras Theorem

"Pyramids and rectangles

are not the only shapes that
play a part in architecture.
Any design can be used with
t he a pp l ic a t io n o f th e
Golden Proportion."

11.1 Pythagoras theorem

In a right angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum
A D C
of the squares of the other two sides.
Fig.1
Given : A DABC in which ÐB = 90°. (fig.1)
To prove : AC2 = AB2 + BC2.
Construction : From B, Draw BD ^ AC.
Proof :
In DADB and DABC, we have :
ÐBAD = ÐCAB = ÐA (Common)
ÐADB = ÐABC (Each = 90°)
\ DADB ~ DABC (By AA similarity)
AD AB
Þ = (Q Corr. sides of similar Ds are THE
AB AC
proportional) SPOT P
Þ AB2 = AD × AC ...(i) LIGHT
In DCDB and DCBA, we have : In a right triangle the sum of the acute
angles is 90o.
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ÐCDB = ÐCBA (Each = 90°)

ÐBCD = ÐACB = ÐC (Common)
\ DCDB ~ DCBA (By AA similarity)
DC BC
Þ = (QCorr. sides of similar Ds are
BC AC
proportional)
Þ BC2 = DC × AC ...(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii), we get
AB2 + BC2 = AD × AC + DC × AC
= (AD + DC) × AC = AC2 (Q AD + DC = AC)
Hence, AB2 + BC2 = AC2.

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BUILDING CONCEPTS 11.1

3
If ABC is an equilateral triangle of side a, prove that its altitude = a.
2
Explanation
DABC is an equilateral triangle.
We are given that AB = BC = CA = a. AD is the altitude, i.e., AD ^ BC.
Now, in right angled triangles ABD and ACD, we have
AB = AC [Given]
A
AD = AD [Common side]
Þ DABD @ DACD [By RHS congruence]
1 a
Þ BD = CD Þ BD = DC = BC =
2 2
From right triangle ABD,
B D C
AB2 = AD2 + BD2
Fig.2
2
æaö
Þ a2 = AD2 + ç ÷
è2ø
a2 3 2
Þ AD2 = a2 – = a
4 4
3
Þ AD = a
2
Converse of Pythagoras theorem
In a triangle if the square of one side is equal to the sum of the squares of
the other two sides, then the triangle is right angled.
Given : A DABC in which AB2 + BC2 = AC2 (fig. 3)
To prove : ÐB = 90°
A
Construction : Draw a DDEF in which DE = AB, EF = BC and ÐE = 90°
Proof :
In DDEF, we have: ÐE = 90°
B C
\ DE2 + EF2 = DF2 (By Pythagoras Theorem)
D
Þ AB2 + BC2 = DF2 (Q DE = AB and EF = BC)
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Þ AC2 = DF2 (Q AB2 + BC2 = AC2)

Þ AC = DF
E F
Fig.3 In DABC and DDEF, we have :
AB = DE (By construction)
BC = EF (By construction)
AC = DF (Proved above)
\ DABC @ DDEF (By SSS congruence)
Þ ÐB = ÐE (c.p.c.t)
Þ ÐB = 90° (Q ÐE = 90° )
Hence proved

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BUILDING CONCEPTS 11.2

In a DABC (fig. 4), obtuse angled at B, if AD is perpendicular to CB

produced, prove that :

AC2 = AB2 + BC2 + 2BC × BD

Explanation
A
In DADB, ÐD = 90°.

\ AD2 + DB2 = AB2 ... (i) [By Pythagoras Theorem]

In DADC, ÐD = 90°
D B C
\ AC2 = AD2 + DC2 [By Pythagoras Theorem]
Fig.4

= AD2 + (DB + BC)2

= AD2 + DB2 + BC2 + 2DB × BC

= AB2 + BC2 + 2BC × BD [Using (i)]

Hence, AC2 = AB2 + BC2 + 2BC × BD.

CHECK YOUR CONCEPTS 11.1

1. Is the triangle with sides 25 cm, 5 cm and 24 cm a right triangle? Give

reasons for your answer.

NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.1

Two poles of height 9 cm and 14 cm stand vertically on a plane ground.
If the distance betwwen their feet is 12 cm. Find the distance between their
tops. (fig. 5)
Solution
Let AB and CD be the poles
standing vertically D

where AB = 9 cm,
14 cm

CD = 14 cm, B M
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AC = 12 cm
9 cm

Draw BM ] CD
A C
ABMC is a rectangle 12 cm
AC = BM = 12 cm, CM = AB = 9 cm
Fig.5
\ MD = CD – CM = 14 – 9 = 5 cm
From right angled DBMD,
ÐBMD = 90°
BD2 = BM2 + MD2
= 122 + 52 = 169 = 132
Þ BD = 13 cm
\ Distance between their tops = 13 cm

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NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.2
ABC is a right angled triangle at B. If D and E are mid-point of sides BC
and AB respectively, prove that AD2 + CE2 = 5 DE2. (fig.6)
Solution
As D is mid-point of BC, BC = 2 BD.
Also, as E is mid-point of AB, AB = 2BE.
A
In DABD, ÐB = 90°, by Pythgoras Theorem
AD2 = AB2 + BD2
E = (2BE)2 + BD2 ( Q AB = 2BE)
Þ AD2 = 4BE2 + BD2 ...(i)
In DEBC,ÐB = 90°, by Pythagoras Theorem
B D C
CE2 = BE2 + BC2 ...(ii)
Fig.6
= BE2 + (2BD)2 ( Q BC = 2BD)
Þ CE2 = BE2 + 4BD2 ...(ii)
Adding (i) and (ii), we get
AD2 + CE2 = 5(BE2 + BD)2 ...(iii)
In DEBD, ÐB = 90°, by Pythagoras Theorem
DE2 = BE2 + BD2 ...(iv)
From (iii) and (iv), we get
AD2 + CE2 = 5DE2
Hence proved

NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.3

A point O in the interior of a rectangle ABCD is joined with each of the
vertices A, B, C and D. (fig. 7)
Prove that : OA2 + OC2 = OB2 + OD2.
Solution
D C Through O, draw EOF || AB.
Then, ABFE is a rectangle
O
E F In right triangles OEA and OFC, we have :
OA2 = OE2 + AE2
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A B
OC2 = OF2 + CF2
\ OA2 + OC2 = OE2 + OF2 + AE2 + CF2 ....(i)
Fig.7
Again, in right triangles OFB and OED, we have :
OB2 = OF2 + BF2
OD2 = OE2 + DE2
\ OB2 + OD2 = OF2 + OE2 + BF2 + DE2
= OE2 + OF2 + AE2 + CF2 .....(ii)
[Q BF = AE & DE = CF]
From (i) and (ii), we get
OA2 + OC2 = OB2 + OD2.
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NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.4
In a rhombus, if diagonals are 6 cm and 8 cm, find its sides.
Solution
Given : Diagonals are 6 cm and 8 cm (fig. 8)
Let BD = 6 cm, AC = 8 cm
D C
In DDOC
1 1
DO < BD < ≥ 6 < 3cm O
2 2
1 1 A B
OC < AC < ≥ 8 < 4 cm
2 2 Fig.8
Ð COD = 90° [Diagonals of rhombus bisect each other
at right angles]
In DDOC
DO2 + OC2 = DC2 [By Pythagoras Theorem]
(3)2 + (4)2 = DC2
9 + 16 = DC2
25 = DC2

DC < ° 25 Þ DC < ° 5,
THE
DC = 5 cm [Ignoring - ve value sign]
\ Side of rhombus = 5 cm
SPOT P
NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.5
LIGHT
If the angles of a right triangle are
In the given figure 9, XD ] YZ, if D divides YZ in the ratio 1 : 3, prove 30°, 60° and 90°, the hypotenuse is
that : 2XZ2 = 2 XY2 + YZ2. equal to twice the side opposite to
the 30° angle, i.e. AC = 2BC
Solution
As D divides YZ in the ration 1 : 3 C

YD 1
\ < Þ DZ < 3YD
DZ 3 A 30°
B
\ YZ = YD + DZ =YD + 3YD = 4YD
1
Þ YD < YZ
4
In DXDZ, ÐD = 90°
\ ZX2 = XD2 + DZ2 (by Pythagoras Theorem)
= XD2 + (3YD)2 ( Q DZ = 3YD)
X
= XD2 + 9YD2 ....(i)
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In DXYD, ÐD = 90°
\ XY2 = XD2 + YD2
Þ XD2 = XY2 – YD2 ....(ii)
From (i) and (ii) Y Z
D
XZ2 = XY2 – YD2 + 9YD2
Fig.9
= XY2 + 8YD2

æ1 ö÷
2
1
= XY ∗ 8 ççç YZ÷÷ < XY ∗ 8. YZ
2 2 2
è4 ø 16

1
= XY ∗
2
YZ2
2
Þ 2XZ2 = 2XY2 + YZ2
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NUMERICAL ABILITY 11.6
ABC is an isosceles triangle. AB = AC = 10 cm, BC = 12 cm. PQRS is
a rectangle drawn inside the isosceles triangle. Given PQ = SR = y cm

3y
and PS = QR = 2x cm. Prove that x = 6 – (fig.10)
4
Solution
A
In DABC, AB = AC.
Draw AD ^ BC, then, D is mid-point of BC.
But BC = 12 cm (given) Þ BD = 6 cm.
cm
10

P S Also DPBQ @ DSRC Þ BQ = RC

y Þ QD = DR = x cm.
\ BQ = BD – QD = (6 – x) cm.
B Q D R C
2x
In DABD, ÐD = 90°,
12 cm \ AB2 = AD2 + BD2 Þ AD2 = AB2 – BD2
Fig.10 Þ AD2 = (10)2 – (6)2 = 100 – 36 = 64
Þ AD = 8 cm.
In DABD, PQ || AD,

PQ BQ y 6-x
\ = Þ =
AD BD 8 6

6y 3
Þ =6–x Þx =6 – y, as required.
8 4

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS 11.1

1. No
Since 252 = 625
and 242 + 52 = 576 + 25 = 601
and 252 ¹ 242 + 52
Hence, it is not right angled triangle.

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EXERCISE # 1
1. In an equilateral triangle ABC, if AD ^ BC, then 9. If the angles of a triangle are 30°, 60°, 90°, then
(1) 2AB2 = 3AD2 (2) 4AB2 = 3AD2 what is the ratio of their angles ?
(3) 3AB2 = 4AD2 (4) 3AB2 = 2AD2
(1) 1 : 2 : 3 (2) 1 : 1 : 2
2. In a right angled DABC, right angled at A, if AD ^
BC such that AD = p, If BC = a, CA = b and AB = (3) 1 : 3 :3 (4) 1 : 2 :2
c, then 10. In the given figure, ÐBAC = 90° and AD ^ BC,
(1) p2 = b2 + c2 then,
A
1 1 1 A
(2) = +
p2 b2 c2
p p
(3) =
a b B D C
(4) p2 = b2 c2
B C
3. In a right angled triangle, if the square of the D
hypotenuse is twice the product of the other two (1) BD.CD = AD2 (2) AB.AC = BC2
sides, then one of the angles of the triangle is (3) BC.CD = BC2 (4) AB.AC = AD2
(1) 15° (2) 30° (3) 45° (4) 60°
11. If the height of an equilateral triangle is 6 cm, then
4. In figure, ÐBAC = 90° and AD ^ BC. Then,
side of equilateral D is
A
(1) 4 cm (2) 5 cm

(3) 4 3 cm (4) 3 2 cm
B D C 12. If the each side of an equilateral triangle is 12 cm,
(1) BD . CD = BC2
(2) AB . AC = BC2 then its height is
(3) BD . CD = AD2 (4) AB . AC = AD2
5. If S is a point on side PQ of a DPQR such that (1) 5 6 cm (2) 6 3 cm
PS = QS = RS, then
(1) PR . QR = RS2 (2) QS2 + RS2 = QR2 (3) 6 cm (4) 3 5 cm
(3) PR + QR = PQ (4) PS2 + RS2 = PR2
2 2 2
13. DPQR is an isosceles D with PQ = PR = 17 cm and
6. If the sides of a right triangle are x, x + 1 and x –1, length of perpendicular from P on QR is 8 cm.
then the hypotenuse is Then QR is
(1) 5 (2) 4 (3) 1 (4) 0 (1) 30 cm (2) 17 cm (3) 20 cm (4) 8 cm
7. In a DABC right angled at B, which statement is 14. In triangle ABC, we have AB = 9 cm, AC = 12 cm
true?
BD
and AD is the bisector of ÐBAC. Then =
node05\B0B0-BA\CBSE\9th\ICSE Part-2\Maths-2\11_Pythagoras Theorem.p65

C
x DC

A 90°
B
y

(1) x + y = 180° (2) x + y = 270°

(3) x + y = 300° (4) x + y = 90° B D C
8. If the angles of a triangle are in the ratio 5 : 3 : 2,
then the triangle could be 4 12 9 3
(1) obtuse (2) acute (1) (2) (3) (4)
3 9 12 4
(3) right (4) isosceles

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15. If each side of rhombus is 10 cm and one of its 19. In isosceles triangle ABC, AB = AC = 17 cm. If BC
diagonal is 16 cm, then the length of the second = 16 cm, calculate the altitude from A on BC.
diagonal is
(1) 12 cm (2) 15 cm
(1) 8 cm (2) 9 cm (3) 12 cm (4) 10 cm
(3) 18 cm (4) None of these
16. In a DABC and DPQR, it is given that ÐB = ÐP,
20. In equilateral DABC, AD is altitude. Then 4AD2
AB 3
ÐR = ÐC and = , then two triangles are equals
PQ 1
(1) 2BD2 (2) 2DC2 (3) BC2 (4) 3AB2
(1) similar as well as congruent
(2) similar but not congruent Fill in the blanks

(3) neither congruent nor similar 1. Pythagoras theorem was given by a Greek
(4) congruent but not similar. mathematician named________.
17. A boy goes 12 m due to north and 5 m due to west. 2. The area of an equilateral triangle is given as _____.
How far is he from the starting point ?
3. In a right angled triangle, the square of _______ is
(1) 17 m (2) 7 m (3) 13 m (4) 25 m
equal to the sum of squares of the other two sides.
18. The length of hypotenuse of an isosceles right angled
triangle whose one side is 5 cm, is 4. In a right angled isosceles triangle, the measure of
equal angles is______.
(1) 8 2 cm (2) 10 2 cm
5. In a right angled triangle ABC, if angle B = 90°,
(3) 5 2 cm (4) 12 cm then AC2 = _________.

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EXERCISE # 1 ANSWER KEY

Multiple choice questions
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. 3 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 1 1 3 2 1 4 3 2 3 3 2 4
Fill in the blanks

3 2
1. Pythagoras 2. a 3. Hypotenuse 4. 45° 5. AB2 + BC2
4

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EXERCISE # 2
Very short answer type questions Short answer type questions
1. AB and CD are two vertical poles of height 6 m 8. The sides of a right triangle containing the right
and 11 m respectively. If the distance between their angle are (5x) cm and (3x – 1) cm. If the area of
feet is 12 m, find the distance between their tops. triangle be 60 cm2, calculate the length of the sides
of the triangle.
D
9. Find the altitude of an equilateral triangle of side

5 3 cm.
E B
10. A ladder 15 m long reaches a window which is
11m 6m 9 m above the ground on one side of the street.
Keeping its foot at the same point, the ladder is
C 12m A turned to the other side of the street to reach a
window 12 m high. Find the width of the street.
2. A rectangular field is 40 m long and 30 m broad.
Find the length of its diagonal. E
3. (i) A man goes 15 m due west and then 8 m D
due north. How far is he from the starting point? 15m 15m 12m
(ii) A ladder 17 m long reaches the window of a 9m
building 15 m above the ground. Find the
A C B
distance of the foot of the ladder from the
building. 11. In the given figure, ABCD is a quadrilateral in which
4. Find in each case, whether the sides of the triangle BC = 3 cm, AD = 13 cm, DC = 12 cm and
as given below form a right triangle or not ÐABD = ÐBCD = 90°. Calculate the length of AB.
(i) 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm A
(ii) 12 cm, 9 cm and 15 cm
m
(iii) 7 cm, 8 cm and 9 cm 13c
5. In a right angled triangle ABC right angled at B, D B
12c 3cm
angle A is 45°. If AC is 5 2 cm, find the side AB m
C
of DABC.
12. In a rhombus PQRS, side PQ = 17 cm and diagonal
6. (a) In figure (i) given below, ÐPSR = 90°, PQ =
PR = 16 cm. Calculate the area of the rhombus.
10 cm, QS =6 cm and RQ = 9 cm. Calculate
13. From the given figure, find the area of trapezium
the length of PR.
ABCD.
P
A 5cm B
A
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4cm

cm
5c

18
m

m
6c

E D C
R Q S B 12 cm C D
14. In a rhombus ABCD, prove that AC2 + BD2
(i) (ii)
= 4AB2.
(b) In figure (ii) given below, ÐD = 90°, 15. A ladder 13 m long rests against a vertical wall.
AB = 16 cm, BC = 12 cm and CA = 6 cm. Find If the foot of the ladder is 5 m from the foot of
CD. the wall, find the distance of the other end of the
7. ABC is an equilateral triangle with side 6 cm. Find ladder from the ground.
the altitude on BC and also calculate its area.

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16. In figure given below, AB || DC, ÐA = 90°, DC 22. In the given figure, XD is the median of DXYZ,
= 7 cm, AB = 17 cm and AC = 25 cm. Calculate and XM ] YZ. Prove that:
BC.
X

D C
7 cm
cm
25

Y M D Z

A 17 cm B 1
(i) XZ < XD ∗ YZ.DM ∗
2 2
YZ2
4
Long answer type questions
1
(ii) XY2 = XD2 – YZ.DM + YZ2
17. In DABC, ÐB = 90° and D is the mid point of BC. 4
1
Prove that : (iii) XY2 + XZ2 = 2XD2 + YZ2
2
23. ABC is equilateral triangle. P is a point on BC such
A
that PC : BP = 1 : 2. Prove that 7AB2 = 9AP2.
24. In figure given below, OD ^ BC, OE ^ CA and
OF ^ AB. Prove that
A

B D C F E
O
(i) AC2 = AD2 + 3CD2

(ii) BC2 = 4(AD2 – AB2)

B C
D
18. In DABC, if AB = AC and D is a point on BC.
Prove that AB2 – AD2 = BD × CD (i) OA2 + OB2 + OC2 = AF2 + BD2 + CE2
+ OD2 + OE2 + OF2.
A (ii) AF2 + BD2 + CE2 = FB2 + DC2 + EA2.
25. In the given figure, DABC is right-angled at C. Let
BC = a, CA = b, AB = c and CD = p, where
. CD ] AB.
A
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B D E C

19. In an acute-angled DABC in which ÐB is acute and D b

AD ^ BC, prove that: AC2 = AB 2 + BC2 –
p
2BC × BD.
B a C
20. In a DABC, D is the mid-point of BC and AE ^ BC,
1 1 1
Prove that : (i) cp = ab (ii) 2
< 2
∗ .
1 p a b2
Prove that : AB2 + AC2 = 2AD2 + BC2
2 26. ABC is a right angled triangle, right angled at C. A
semicircle is drawn with AB as diameter. P is any
21. If AD, BE and CF are medians of DABC, prove point on AC produced. BP meets the semicircle at
that 3 (AB2 + BC2 + CA2) = 4 (AD2 + BE2 + CF2). D. Prove that AB2 = AP.AC + BD.BP

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27. In a quadrilateral ABCD, ÐB = 90° = ÐD. 29. In the given figure, XY = 3ZT = 18 cm, show that
Prove that 2AC2 – BC2 = AB2 + AD2 + DC2. 3YP = 4ZP = 36 cm. Also, show that measure of
28. In a DABC, right-angled at C, if P and Q be the angle XPT is 90°.
mid-points of CA and CB respectively, prove that:
X
A T

P
Z P Y

B Q C
30. Prove that the area of a triangle in terms of its
(i) 4AQ2 = 4AC2 + BC2
sides is s(s , a)(s , b)(s , c), where 's' is the
(ii) 4BP2 = 4BC2 + AC2
semiperimeter.
(iii) 4(AQ2 + BP2) = 5AB2
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EXERCISE # 2 ANSWER KEY

Very short answer type questions

1
1. 13 m 2. 50 m 3. (i) 17 m (ii) 8 m 4. (i) Yes (ii) Yes (iii) No 5. 5 cm 6. (a) 17 cm (b) 3 cm
6

7. 3 3 cm, 9 3 cm2
Short answer type questions
8. 15 cm, 8 cm, 17 cm 9. 7.5 cm 10. 21 cm 11. 4 cm 12. 240 cm2 13. 14 cm2 15. 12 m
16. 26 cm

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Important Notes
ALLEN

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