Pythagorean theorem geometrically speaking

The Pythagorean theorem is " a^2 + b^2 = c^2 " where a and b represent the length of legs and c represents the length of the hypotenuse. This formula is often read as "a squared plus b squared equals c squared." When it says "squared" geometrically you are using actual squares. When you add the areas of the squares on the legs it should equal the area of the square on the hypotenuse. If these areas do not add up then that means that the sides of those squares do not form a right triangle. The video below demonstrates that idea.


Also, the sides of the right triangle that form the 90 degree angle are called legs because they support the hypotenuse the same way that our legs keep us from falling. Also the hypotenuse comes from Greek words ( hypo - which means under, and teinein - which means to stretch) that give us the idea that it is the line that is stretched between the two legs of the right triangle.

No Homework tonight.



Also, don't forget that if you have trouble with pythagorean theorem you may see some more examples on our wiki.