EXAMPLES OF USING PYTHAGORUS THEOREM

Pythagorus Theorem states that the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of
the squares on the other two sides

c (hypotenuse)

b
Always label the sides ,

c must be the hypotenuse (side opposite the right angle)

a

Always start your calculation by writing

b = c

When to use Pythagorus?

There must be a right angle in the triangle
You need to be given the length of 2 of the sides
You are not being asked to calculate an angle
Typical questions:
Finding the Hypotenuse
In a game two umpires stand on a pitch as shown.
10 m

U m p ire
N o t to s c a le

22 m

U m p ire

How far apart are the two umpires?

...................................... a

b = c ...................................................................

...c =

a b )

c =
(1)

(1)

........................................................... (1)

22 10 ) =

24.16 m

....................................

You would lose a mark if you didnt write the correct unit ( metres in this case)
(if the question doesnt say to what degree of accuracy, use common sense, i.e. if using metres,
2 decimal places gives the cm which is realistically measurable)

Finding one of the other sides

.

The diagram shows a right-angled triangle.

13 cm

5 cm

N o t d ra w n a c c u ra te ly

Calculate the length of the missing side

...................................... a

b = c ...................................................................

...b =

c - a )

b =

(1)

........................................................... (1)

13 - 5 ) =

12 cm

.................................... (1)

Proving a triangle is right-angled

The sketch shows triangle ABC.
AB = 40 cm, AC = 41 cm and CB = 9 cm.
C

41 cm
A

9 cm

N o t d raw n
a c c u ra te ly

40 cm
B

By calculation, show that triangle ABC is a right angled triangle.

.....If triangle ABC has a right angle then a

b = c ........................................

40
.......................

9 =

(1)

41 ........................................

b = 1681 c = 1681 .

(1)

....................Therefore triangle ABC is a right angled triangle................................ (1)

if a

didn,t equal c then triangle ABC doesnt have a right angle