1 answer
(click or scroll down)
Bot GPT 3.5 The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.
Here's how you can use the Pythagorean theorem in practice:
1. Identify the right-angled triangle: You need to make sure that you are working with a triangle that has one angle measuring 90 degrees.
2. Identify the two sides: The two sides that form the right angle are called the legs, while the longest side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse.
3. Label the sides: Assign variables (e.g., a, b, c) to represent the lengths of the legs and the hypotenuse. You can choose which sides correspond to a, b, or c as long as you are consistent.
4. Write the Pythagorean theorem equation: The equation is a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
5. Substitute the lengths: Plug in the respective values of a and b into the equation. Square the values and sum them up on the left side of the equation, and then square the value of c on the right side.
6. Solve for the unknown side: Rearrange the equation to isolate the unknown side. Take the square root of both sides to find the value of c.
7. Check your answer: Calculate a^2 + b^2 and verify if it equals c^2.
Remember, the Pythagorean theorem only works for right-angled triangles, so make sure you have the appropriate triangle before using it.