Pythagoras theorem

Pythagoras or Pythagorean Theorem is used to determine the third side of any right triangle when the other two sides are known. According to this theorem, in any right angled triangle, the square on hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the square of other two sides.

The Pythagoras formula is stated below.

AB² = BC² + AC²

or

c² = a² + b²

Example

        Find the length of the longest side (hypotenuse) of the right triangle, give the other sides are 8cm and 9cm.

         c² = a² + b²

             = 8² + 9²

              = 64 + 81

        = 145

 If c² = 145

Then c = √145

                 = 12.04cm

        Answer = 12.04cm