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Last modified on June 8th, 2024
The Pythagorean Theorem, also known as Pythagoras theorem is a mathematical relation between the 3 sides of a right triangle, a triangle in which one of 3 angles is 90°. It was discovered and named after the Greek philosopher and mathematician of Samos, Pythagoras.
Does Pythagorean Theorem Work on All Triangles
No, the Pythagorean Theorem works only for right triangles. Thus, it helps to test whether a triangle is right triangle or not. The theorem is also used to find the length of one side of a right triangle when the other two sides are known.
The theorem was first evident on a 4000-year-old Babylonian tablet (beginning about 1900 B.C.) now known as Plimpton 322. Much later in 570–500/490 BCE, the relationship was popularized when Pythagoras stated it explicitly.
When a triangle has a right angle (90°) and squares are made on each of the 3 sides, then the biggest square has an area equal to the sum of the areas of the other 2 squares.
Thus, the Pythagorean Theorem states that the area of the square formed by the longest side of the right triangle (the hypotenuse) is equal to the sum of the area of the squares formed by the other two sides.
In the above figure,
Area of □ A = a2
Area of □ B = b2
Area of □ C = c2
Now, according to the Pythagorean Theorem,
Area of □ A + Area of □ B = Area of □ C
(a × a) + (b × b) = (c × c)
a2 + b2 = c2
The above relation is useful to find an unknown side of a right triangle when the lengths of the other 2 sides are known.
The equation that represents the Pythagorean Theorem in mathematical form is given below:
Let us find out how it works using an example.
Consider a right triangle with side lengths 3, 4, 5.
In the above figure, let us use the Pythagorean Theorem
32 + 42 = 52
=> 9 + 16 =25
9, 16, & 25 are the areas of the three squares
This proves how the Pythagorean Theorem works
Let us solve an example to understand the concept better
Find the hypotenuse of a right-angle triangle with the other 2 sides 15 cm and 20 cm.
As we know,
In a right angle triangle,
a2 + b2 = c2, here c = length of the hypotenuse, a = 15 cm, c = 20 cm
=> 152 + 202 = c2
=> 225 + 400 = c2
=> c2 = 625
=> c = 25 cm
Thus, the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides 15 cm and 20 cm is 25 cm
Find b in the given right angle triangle.
As we know,
In a right angle triangle,
a2 + b2 = c2, here c = 5, a = 3 cm
=> 32 + b2 = 52
=> b2 = 52 – 32
=> b2 = 25 – 9
=> b2 = 16
=> b = 4 cm
Find whether it is a right angle triangle.
As we know,
In a right angle triangle,
a2 + b2 = c2, here a = 9, b = 12, c = 15 cm
=> 92 + 122
=> 81 + 144
=> 225
As, 152 = 225
Thus, the above relation holds true for the Pythagorean Theorem, thus it is a right angle triangle.
Does an 8, 15, 16 triangle have a Right Angle?
As we know,
In a right angle triangle,
a2 + b2 = c2
Here,
=> 82 + 152
=> 64 + 225
=> 289
But, 162 = 256
Thus, the above relation does not hold true for the Pythagorean Theorem, thus it is not a right-angle triangle.
The Pythagorean Theorem can be proved in many ways. The 2 most common ways of proving the theorem are described below:
This method helps us to prove the Pythagorean Theorem by using the side lengths.
Let us consider 4 right triangles with side lengths a, b, & c, where c is the length of the hypotenuse and ‘a’ and ‘b’ are the lengths of the other 2 sides
If we arrange the 4 right triangles in a square of length (a + b), we can derive the equation of the Pythagorean Theorem as shown below:
Area of □ EFGH = c × c = c2
Again,
Area of □ ABCD = Area of □ EFGH + Area of 4 right △s
=> (a + b)2 = c2 + 4(1/2 × b × a)
=> (a + b)2 = c2 + 2ab
=> a2 + b2 + 2ab = c2 + 2ab
=> a2 + b2 = c2
This proves the Pythagorean Theorem
As we know,
△ADB ~ △ABC
∴ CD/CB = CB/CA (Corresponding Sides of Similar Triangles are Equal)
=> CB2 = CD × CA …….. (1)
Similarly,
△BDA ~ △CBA
∴ AD/BA = BA/CA (Corresponding Sides of Similar Triangles are Equal)
=> BA2 = AD × CA …….. (2)
Adding equations (1) and (2), we get
CB2 + BA2 = (CD × CA) + (AD × CA)
=> CB2 + BA2 = CA (CD + AD)
Since, CD + AD = CA
∴ CA2 = CB2 + BA2
This proves the Pythagorean Theorem
Through learning the basic concepts of the Pythagorean Theorem is important to determine whether a triangle is a right triangle or not. But, we are even more curious in understanding the applications of the Pythagorean Theorem.
Some common real-life applications of the Pythagorean Theorem are given below:
Last modified on June 8th, 2024
Correction done