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Pythagorean Theorem

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9 views15 pages

Pythagorean Theorem

Uploaded by

Jim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Pythagorean

Theorem

A tool for right


triangle problems only
What is Pythagorean
Theorem ?
A theorem attributed to Pythagoras
that the square of the hypotenuse of a
right triangle is equal to the sum of
the squares of the other two sides.
When do I need to use
the Pythagorean Theorem ?

When I know: length of 2 sides


And
Need to know: length of 3rd side
The Pythagorean
Theorem
a b  c
2 2 2

Where a and b are legs and c is the hypotenuse


Using a2 + b2 = c2
• Looking for length of • a2 + b 2 = c 2
the hypotenuse
• 152 + 202 = c2
• 225 + 400 = c2
• 625 = c2
625  c 2

25  c
Using a2 + b2 = c2
• Looking for length of • a2 + b 2 = c 2
A leg
• 62 + b2 = 102
• 36 + b2 = 100
• -36 -36
• b2 = 64
•b = 8
Applying the
Pythagorean Theorem
A 15 foot ladder leans up against a
building. The foot of the ladder is 5 feet
from the base of the building. How high
up the wall, to the nearest foot does the
ladder reach?
Draw a picture:
Solving the problem
• a2 + b2 = c2 Write formula
• x2 + 52 = 152 Substitute in
• x2 + 25 = 225 Solve for x
• - 25 -25
• x2 = 200
•
x  200
• x = 14.142135 Check: How am I
• to leave my answer?

The ladder reaches 14 feet up the wall.


Tim rode 8 miles due north, then 3 miles due
east. How far, to the nearest mile, is Tim from
where he started?

• Draw a picture:
Solve the problem
a2 + b2 = c2
82 + 3 2 = c 2
64 + 9 = c2
73 = c2
Remember: How
73  c am I suppose to
C = 8.5440037
leave my answer?

Tim is 9 miles from where he started.


Wrapping It UP
The Pythagorean Theorem can • Right
be used only on
_____triangles.
• When the length of 2 sides are known
When should the Pythagorean and the length of 3rd side is needed
Theorem be used?
What should be done first when • Draw and label triangle
solving a word problem
involving the Pythagorean
Theorem?
What must be done before • Check to see whether the answer
writing the answer to a should be rounded or not
Pythagorean Theorem
problem?

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