6-3 The Pythagorean

Theorem
By: The Great and Wonderful
ME
 What is Pythagorean
Theorem?
• We use the Pythagorean Theorem to
find the lengths of missing sides in a
right triangle.
• Pythagorean Theorem states that….
• In any right triangle, the sum of the
squares of the lengths of the two
legs is equal to the square of the
Whew! That’s a
length of the
mouthful! Whathypotenuse.
the
heck does it
mean??????????
 Vocabulary
• First we need to know the
vocabulary.
• Hypotenuse: the side of the
triangle that is opposite of the right
angle (the slanted side)
• Legs: the two sides of the right
triangle that form the right angle.
 Pythagorean Theorem
Formula

• The sum of the squares of the two

legs (a² + b²)
• Is equal to the square of the length
of the hypotenuse (c²)
 First, what side is missing?
a, b, or c?
8 Side c. So, set up our
? Or
m x
formula and plug in what
we know.
a² + b² = c²
6
m
8² + 6² = c²
64 + 36 = c²
100 = c²
We want to know what “c”
is. How do we “undo” c²?
To “undo” a square, take the square
root (√) of a number. (2nd key then
x² on calculator)
√100 = √c²
10 = c
 ? Or First, what side is missing?
x a, b, or c?
4 Side c. So, set up our
m formula and plug in what
we know.
a² + b² = c²
5
m 4² + 5² = c²
16 + 25 = c²
41 = c²
We want to know what “c”
is. How do we “undo” c²?
To “undo” a square, take the square
root (√) of a number. (2nd key then
x² on calculator)
√41 = √c²
6.4 = c
 13 ft First, what side is missing?
a, b, or c?
? Side a or b. So, set up our
Or formula and plug in what
x we know.
a² + b² = c²
5
ft a² + 5² = 13²
a² + 25 = 169
Solve the equation.
Get the variable by
itself.
It’s addition, so subtract 25 from
both sides
a² + 25 = 169
- 25 - 25
a² = 144
√a² = √144
a = 12
 Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the height
2 2
of the triangle. Then use the height of to find the
area of the triangle.

1 1
Figure out what side is missing. Then use
Pythagorean Theorem to solve for the height.
2
?
Height is
1.7 units 1
 A sailboat sailed 139 km from the light house in
the wrong direction. It was originally 50 km from
the island. How far away is the sailboat now?
Round to the nearest km.

139 km
50 km

? km