How do I know whether to add or minus in Pythagoras's theorem?

Firstly it has to be a right angled trinagle. Even if it is an irregukar shape, draw a line in to make it a right angled triangle. When you have your right angled triangle remember it is ALWAYS + if it is the hypotenuse (longest side) and - if it is not the hypotenuse.

NM

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A right-angled triangle has side lengths of 8.65cm and 10.15cm. What is the length of its hypotenuse?


Solve: 2((x)^2) + 7x + 3, for x


Solve the simultaneous equations y = 2x-3 and x^2 +y^2 = 2


A curve (a) has equation, y = x^2 + 3x + 1. A line (b) has equation, y = 2x + 3. Show that the line and the curve intersect at 2 distinct points and find the points of intersection. Do not use a graphical method.