I don't understand Pythagoras' theorem . What is it and how do you use it?

Ok, so the reason we need the Pythagoras theorem is to work out the length of missing side given we know the other 2 sides in a right-angled triangle. (Would go on to draw the triangle with the known sides and unknown side). The key rule to remember is that 'the hypotenuse squared( c) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a2 + b2 = c2. Any questions?Let's proceed to an example. (Would go on to draw an example with numeric values for the sides of the triangle). For instance if shorter sides we 8 and 9. 82+92= c2 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 145=c2>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>1451/2>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>12.04159458>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>12.04 (3sf) I will now show an example where the hypotenuse/longest side is known and we want to work out one of the shorter sides.

SM
Answered by Stefano M. Maths tutor

5394 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

For a cuboid, the longest side is two units more than the shortest side, and the middle length side is one unit longer than the shortest side. The total surface area of the cuboid is 52 units². (a) Construct an equation to calculate the surface area.


How do you solve a simultaneous equation?


A ball of mass 10kg is dropped from a height of 50m, if the work done against drag is 500J what is the speed of the ball immediately before impact with the floor? (g=10N/Kg)


What is the length of a if a triangle has lengths of b=6.4cm and c=5.6cm with an angle A=107.9 degrees?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning