Measurement and geometry

Pythagoras
theorem

Pythagoras theorem was known to a number of ancient civilisations,

including the Egyptians who used the rule to construct their pyramids as
far back as 3000 BCE, but Pythagoras was the first person to write it in a
mathematical way. Pythagoras theorem expresses the relationship
between the sides of a right-angled triangle. It is still used today in
architecture, engineering, surveying and many other fields.

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

n Chapter outline
1-01 Square roots and surds
1-02 Discovering
Pythagoras theorem
1-03 Finding the hypotenuse
1-04 Finding a shorter side
1-05 Mixed problems
1-06 Testing for right-angled
triangles
1-07 Pythagorean triads
1-08 Pythagoras theorem
problems

n Wordbank
Proficiency strands
U
U
U
U

F
F
F
F

U
U

F
F

converse A rule or statement turned back-to-front; the

reverse statement
hypotenuse The longest side of a right-angled triangle; the
side opposite the right angle
Pythagoras An ancient Greek mathematician who
discovered an important formula about the sides of a
right-angled triangle
surd A square root (or other type of root) whose exact
decimal value cannot be found

PS

This is a Year 9 topic in the Australian Curriculum but

a Stage 4 (Years 78) topic in the NSW syllabus.

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ustralian Curriculum

theorem A formal rule or a formula

triad A group of three related objects

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

n In this chapter you will:

investigate the concept of irrational numbers
establish the relationship between the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle in practical
ways, including using digital technologies.
investigate Pythagoras theorem and its application to solving simple problems involving rightangled triangles
solve practical problems involving Pythagoras theorem, approximating the answer as a decimal
or giving an exact answer as a surd
use the converse of Pythagoras theorem to establish whether a triangle has a right angle
identify a Pythagorean triad as a set of three numbers such that the sum of the squares of the
first two equals the square of the third

SkillCheck
Worksheet

Evaluate each expression.

a 42
e 10.32

StartUp assignment 1
MAT08MGWK10001

b 122
f 32 42

Evaluate each square root.

p
p
a p16
b p64

e
121
f
49

Find the perimeter of each shape.

a

4 cm

c 302
g 52 122

d 2.12
h 5.42  3.22

p
c p100

g
1:21

p
d p196

h
2:25

cm

27 mm

12

cm

7 cm
11 mm

Find the area of each shape.

a

10 cm

4 cm

10 mm

20 mm
4 cm

Write each number correct to one decimal place.

a 10.33

b 4.67

c 7.654

d 0.8888

Evaluate each expression correct to one decimal place.

p
p
p
a
32 72
c
152  82
b
5:62 9:22

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1-01 Square roots and surds

p
The square root of a number is the positive value which, if squared, will give that number.
For example:
p
p25
because 52 25
the square root of 25
5

49 7
because 72 49
the square root of 49
Most
p
p square roots do not give exact answers like the ones above. For example,
10 3:16227766
. . .  3.2. Such square roots are called surds. A surd is a square root ,
p

3
cube root , or any other type of root whose exact decimal or fraction value cannot be found.
As a decimal, its digits run endlessly without repeating, so they are neither terminating nor
recurring decimals. A surd cannot be written in fraction form ab so it is also called an irrational
number.

Example

Worksheet
Table of squares and
square roots
MAT08MGWK10002
Worksheet
Surds
MAT08MGWK10003

Evaluate each expression correct to two decimal places.

p
p
a
72 92
b
122  102

Solution
a

p
72 92 11:40175 . . .
 11:40

On a calculator, enter
9

OR:
72 92 130
p
130 11:40175 . . .
 11:40
b

p
122  102 6:63324 . . .
 6:63

On a calculator, enter 7
On a calculator, enter

ANS

On a calculator, enter

10

12

OR:
122  102 140
p
140 6:63324 . . .

On a calculator, enter 12
10

On a calculator, enter

ANS

 6:63

9780170189538

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

Example

Select the surds from this list of square roots:

p
72

p
64

p
121

Solution

p
90

p
28

p
64 8

p
p
72 8.4852
121 11
p
p
90 9.4868
p 28 5.2915
p p
so the surds are 72, 90 and 28.

Exercise 1-01 Square roots and surds

See Example 1

See Example 2

Evaluate each square root.

p
a p196

d
625

Evaluate each square root, correct to two decimal places.

p
p
p
a p
12
b p
45
c p1001

e p153
f p207
g p98

i
24
j
110
k
297

Evaluate each expression, correct to two decimal places.

p
p
2  52
b
52 72
a p12

p
d
172  122
e
82  32
q
q
g
1:52 4:22
h
12:52  7:12

p
c p64

f
361

p
b p900

e
121

p
d p325

h p888

l
689
p
62 112
p
f
42 92
q
i
25:72 18:22
c

Which of the following is not a surd? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

p
p
p
p
A 10:24
B 24
C 1000
D 3

Select all the surds from this list of square roots.

p
p
p
p
98
9
225
p160

p
p
p
144
77
18
196

Just for the record

p
p36

200

p
p52

81

Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans

Pythagoras was a mathematician who lived in ancient Greece.

The Pythagoreans were a group of men who followed
Pythagoras.
This is the symbol of the Pythagorean secret society.
Apparently they were so upset about the discovery of surds
that they tried to keep it a secret. Hippasus, one of the
Pythagoreans, was drowned for revealing the secret to
outsiders.
Find the special name for this symbol involving a star inside
a pentagon.

This is the symbol of the

Pythagorean secret society.

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ustralian Curriculum

Technology

1-02 Discovering Pythagoras theorem

A right-angled triangle has one right angle (90) and two
smaller angles. The side opposite the right angle is the
longest side and is called the hypotenuse.
Pythagoras theorem is a rule that describes
the relationship between the hypotenuse and
the other two (shorter) sides.

Example

GeoGebra: Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGTC00004

the hypotenuse
(the longest side)

The hypotenuse
is always opposite
the right angle.

Worksheet
Pythagoras discovery
MAT08MGWK10004
Worksheet
A page of right-angled
triangles

MAT08MGWK10005

a Construct a right-angled triangle with the two shorter sides being of length 3 cm
and 4 cm.
b Measure the length of the hypotenuse.
c Evaluate 32 42.
d If c is the length of the hypotenuse in centimetres, evaluate c 2.

Worksheet
Proving Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGWK10006

Solution
a

b Measuring with a ruler, the hypotenuse is 5 cm long.

cc
3 cm

4 cm

c 32 42 25.

d c 2 52 25.

Exercise 1-02 Discovering Pythagoras theorem

1

Name the hypotenuse in each triangle.

a

c L

p
q
r

y
N

a Draw a right-angled triangle with short sides measuring 5 cm and 12 cm.

See Example 3

b Measure the length of the hypotenuse.

c Evaluate 52 122.

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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

d If c is the length of the hypotenuse in centimetres, evaluate c 2.

e Copy and complete each statement.
The square of the hypotenuse ____2 ____
The sum of the squares of the two shorter sides ____2 ____2 ____
3

Which equation is true for the right-angled

triangle shown? Select the correct answer
A, B, C or D.
A 8 15 17
B 82 152 172
C 82 172 152
D 172 152 82

17
8

15

a Use GeoGebra (or pencil, ruler and 5 mm grid paper) to draw a right-angled triangle with
the shorter sides of length 6 cm and 8 cm, then measure the length of the hypotenuse. Click
View Grid and remove Axes before you begin, then create the triangle using Interval
Between Two Points. Check the lengths using Distance or Length.
b Copy and complete this table by:
constructing each right-angled triangle with the measurements given for the two shorter
sides a and b (using GeoGebra or pencil and paper)
measuring the length, c, of the hypotenuse
evaluating the values of a 2, b 2, a 2 b 2, c 2

a
b
c
d
5

Video tutorial
Pythagoras theorem

Shorter sides (cm)

a
b
6
8
2.5
6
1.5
2
4
7.5

Hypotenuse (cm)
c

a2

b2

a2 b2

c2

What rule or relationship did you discover between the length of the hypotenuse and the
lengths of the other two sides?

1-03 Finding the hypotenuse

MAT08MGVT10001
Technology worksheet
Excel: Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGCT00024
Technology
Excel: Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGCT00009

Summary
Pythagoras theorem
In a right-angled triangle, the square of the
hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the
other two sides. If c is the length of the hypotenuse,
and a and b are the lengths of the other two sides,
then:

c2 a2 b2
8

c
a

9780170189538

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
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ustralian Curriculum

A theorem is a formal rule or formula. Pythagoras theorem was discovered by the ancient Greek
mathematician Pythagoras. This rule is used to find the length of one side of a right-angled triangle
when the other two sides are known.

Example

Write Pythagoras theorem for nLNM.

Solution
The hypotenuse is LN, the two shorter sides are LM and MN.
So Pythagoras theorem is LN 2 LM 2 MN 2

Example

5
9 cm

Find the value of c in this triangle.

Solution

1681
p
c 1681
41

40 cm

c2 a2 b2
c 2 92 402

c cm

c cm is the length of the

hypotenuse. Using Pythagoras
theorem:

Substitute the lengths of the two shorter sides.

Use the square root to find c.

Check: A hypotenuse of 41 cm looks reasonable from the diagram: it is the longest side and
a little longer than 40 cm.

Example

Find the value of x in this triangle:

36

xm

a as a surd
b correct to two decimal places.

Solution
a Write Pythagoras theorem.

50

c2 a2 b2
x 2 50 2 362
3796
p
x 3796

9780170189538

Substitute the lengths of the two shorter sides.

Because the question asks for

a surd, leave the answer in
p
square root ( ) form.

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

p
3796

From part a.

61:6116 . . .
 61.61

Check: From the diagram, this answer looks

reasonable.

Note: The surd answer is more exact than the decimal answer because it is not rounded.

Exercise 1-03 Finding the hypotenuse

See Example 4

What is Pythagoras theorem for this triangle?

Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

z2 x2 y2
ZY 2 ZX 2 XY 2
XY 2 ZY 2 ZX 2
y2 x2 z2

A
B
C
D

Write Pythagoras theorem for each right-angled triangle.

a

10

5
12

.5

7.5

3
3
See Example 5

Find the value of each pronumeral.

a

d cm

9m

m
xc

20

12 m

15

6m

hm

8m

Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

a

b cm

10

24 km

c
4c

17 km

km

6c

13 mm

See Example 6

xm

20 mm
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N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

1m

3.4 cm

pm

dc

For each triangle in question 4, find correct to one decimal place the value of each pronumeral.

In this triangle, what is the value of d? Select the

correct answer A, B, C or D.
A 22.8
C 34.5

2.8 cm

1m

ustralian Curriculum

Worked solutions

12

B 12.9
D 25.5

Exercise 1-03
MAT08MGWS10001

22.5

Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to two decimal places.

a

5
2.3

7.6
h

c
6

2.5

1.7

Copy and complete each equation.

a 242 322 ____2

b 362 152 ____2

c 92 402 ____2

d 212 ____2 352

e 602 ____2 612

f ____2 152 172

g ____2 242 512

h ____2 ____2 102

i ____2 ____2 152

Technology Finding the hypotenuse

In this activity, we will create a spreadsheet to calculate the length
of the hypotenuse, c, of a right-angled triangle, given the lengths
of the other two sides (a and b).

9780170189538

11

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

1 Enter the headings and values shown below.

Remember: a^2 b^2 means

a2 b2.

2 Enter into cell C2 the formula =A2^2B2^2, and use Fill Down to copy this formula into
cells C3 to C5.
3 To calculate the length of each hypotenuse in column D, we need to find the square root
of the values in column C, so in cell D2, enter =sqrt(C2). Then Fill Down to copy this
formula into cells D3 to D5.
4 Use your spreadsheet to check your answers to questions 3 to 6 of Exercise 1-03.

1-04 Finding a shorter side

Video tutorial
Pythagoras theorem
MAT08MGVT10001
Technology
Excel: Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGCT00009

Pythagoras theorem can also be used to find the length of one of the shorter sides in a rightangled triangle if the hypotenuse and the other side are given. In this case, we subtract the length
of the known shorter side from the length of the hypotenuse.

Summary
To find the length of a shorter side, a, in a rightangled triangle with hypotenuse c and other shorter
side b, use Pythagoras theorem in the form:
2

a c b

c
a

Example

Find the value of d in this triangle.

d mm

6 mm

10

12

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ustralian Curriculum

Solution
We want to find the length of one of the shorter sides. Use Pythagoras theorem.
a2 c2  b2
d 2 102  62
Substitute the hypotenuse and the other side.
64
p
d 64
Take the square root to find d.
8

Check: From the diagram, the answer d 8

looks reasonable.

Example

Find the value of y in this triangle:

a as a surd
b correct to two decimal places.

ym

38
m

Solution
a a2 c2  b2
y 2 432  382

43
2

(Hypotenuse)  (other side)

405
p
y 405
p
y 405
20:1246 . . .
 20.12

Surd answer
from part a
Check: From the diagram, this answer appears
to be reasonable.

Exercise 1-04 Finding a shorter side

1

Find the value of each pronumeral.

a

See Example 7

c
34

13 m

17
m

cm
15 m

x mm

y cm

5 mm

30 cm
ym
m

9780170189538

30 c

m
xm

am

d cm

20
mm

25 m

9m

4 cm

mm

15

13

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

See Example 8

Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer in surd form.
a

1m

y cm

x cm

cm

32

f
12

y cm

4 cm

xm

3m

xm

cm

125 km

110 m

e
7c

km

4 cm

10

48

mk

6 cm

Find the value of each pronumeral in question 2, correct to one decimal place.

What is the value of d? Select the correct answer

A, B, C or D.
A 74.16
B 79.53
C 90.14
D 127.50

Exercise 1-04

30

km

Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to two

decimal places.
a

MAT08MGWS10002

km

85

dk

Worked solutions

10

35

.6

q
6

45
12

27.3

What could be the lengths of p

the other two sides of a right-angled triangle if:
a one of the shorter sides is 7 cm long?
b one of the shorter sides is 7 cm long?
p
c the hypotenuse is 20 cm long?
d the hypotenuse is 20 cm long?

14

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Technology Finding a shorter side

b

a
c

In this activity, we will create a spreadsheet to calculate the length of a shorter side, a, of a rightangled triangle, given the lengths of the hypotenuse (c) and the other side (b).
1 Enter the headings and values shown below.

2 Enter a formula into cell C2 to calculate c 2  b 2, which is 225, and use Fill Down to copy
this formula into cells C3 to C5.
3 To calculate the length of the shorter side (a) in column D, we need to find the square root
of c 2 b 2. Enter a formula into cell D2 to calculate the square root of cell C2, which is 15,
and use Fill Down to copy this formula into cells D3 to D5.
4 Use your spreadsheet to check your answers to Exercise 1-04.

Mental skills 1

Maths without calculators

Squaring a number ending in 5 or 1

The square of a number ending in 5 always ends in 25.
For example, 352 1225 and 1052 11 025.
A mental calculation trick requires three easy steps:
delete the 5 from the number
multiply the remaining number by the next consecutive number
write 25 at the end of the product.
1

Study each example.

a To calculate 352:
deleting the 5 from 35 leaves 3
multiply 3 by the next consecutive number: 3 3 4 12
write 25at the end: 1225
352 1225

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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

b To calculate 1052:
deleting the 5 from 105 leaves 10
multiply 10 by the next consecutive number: 10 3 11 110
write 25 at the end: 11 025
1052 11 025
2

Now calculate each square number.

b 552
c 452
a 252
e 1152
f 7.52
g 952
2
2
i 1.5
j 65
k 1552
The square of a number ending in 1 always ends in 1.
For example, 412 1681 and 712 5041.
A mental calculation trick requires three steps:

d 852
h 1952
l 2452

round the number down to the nearest 10 (by subtracting 1) to make a new number
square the new number
to your answer, add the new number and its next consecutive number

Study each example.

a To calculate 412:
round 41 down to 40
square 40: 402 1600
add 40 and 41: 1600 40 41 1681
412 1681
b To calculate 712:
round 71 down to 70
square 70: 702 4900
4900 70 71 5041
712 5041

Now calculate each square number.

a 212
f 812

Worksheet
Finding an unknown
side
MAT08MGWK10007
Skillsheet
Pythagoras theorem
MAT08MGSS10001

16

b 1012
g 612

c 312
h 2012

d 912
i 1.12

e 5.12
j 4.12

1-05 Mixed problems

To find the length of an unknown side in a right-angled triangle, follow these steps.
1 Decide whether the unknown side is the hypotenuse or one of the shorter sides.
2 To find the hypotenuse, use c 2 a 2 b 2 and add.
To find a shorter side, use a 2 c 2 b 2 and subtract.
p
3 If a surd answer is required, leave the answer in square root ( ) form. Otherwise, calculate the
value correct to the required number of decimal places.

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N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
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Example

ustralian Curriculum

9
Puzzle sheet

Find the value of x as a surd.

Pythagoras 1

Example

8 cm

x is the hypotenuse.
c2 a2 b2
x 2 72 82
113
p
x 113

MAT09MGPS00039

xc

Solution

Puzzle sheet
Pythagoras 2
MAT09MGPS00040

7 cm

As a surd.

10

Find the value of n correct to one decimal place.

1.9 km

Solution
n km

4.3

n is a shorter side.

km

a2 c2  b2
n 2 4:32  1:9 2
14:88
p
n 14:88
3:85746 . . .

(Hypotenuse)2  (other side)2

Find the square root.

 3:9

Exercise 1-05 Mixed problems

Find the value of each pronumeral.
c

m
fc

9.6 m

33

s mm

77 cm

hm

.4

10

36 cm

44

rm

mm

2.4 m

5.1

9780170189538

mm
21

20

l mm

17

Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

a

9m

c
t mm

mm

22

x mm

gm

7m

17 mm

See Example 9

18 mm

mm

Find the value of each pronumeral correct to one decimal place.

a

c
m

pk

90 c

q cm

am

27

4 km

See Example 10

32

17 m
2.4 km

65 c

28

What is the value of y? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

A 25.29
B 25.30
C 30.47
D 30.46

km

y km

12 km

Find the value of each pronumeral correct to two decimal places.

a

ym

.1

34

8.9 cm

ic

19.5 m

46 mm

8.9 cm

Exercise 1-05

Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

a

5m

14 m

dm

7m

cm

16 mm

xm

MAT08MGWS10003

12 cm

Worked solutions

29 mm

12 cm

18

9780170189538

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

f
10

km

cm

27

pm

x km

6 cm

11

ustralian Curriculum

8k

p cm

13 m

32 cm

21.5 km

3.3

2.4

cm

xc

yk

18 km

20

xm

1-06 Testing for right-angled triangles

Technology worksheet

Pythagoras theorem can be used to test whether a triangle is right-angled.

Pythagoras theorem
tester

Summary

MAT08MGCT10011
Video tutorial

If the sides of a triangle have lengths a, b and

c, where c is largest, and they follow the
formula c 2 a 2 b 2, then the triangle must
be right-angled.
The right angle is opposite the longest side, c.

Testing for right-angled

triangles

MAT08MGVT10002
Worksheet
Pythagorean triads

MAT08MGWK00056

This is called the converse of Pythagoras theorem. The word converse means to turn around or
reverse. So the converse of a theorem is the theorem written back-to-front.

Example

11

Test whether each triangle is right-angled.

b

15

14

45

cm

27 cm

6m

36 cm

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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

Solution
452 2025

a
2

Squaring the longest side.

27 36 2025
2

Squaring the two shorter sides, and adding.

[ 45 27 36

The three sides follow c 2 a 2 b 2.

[ The triangle is right-angled

(with the right angle opposite the
45 cm side).
152 225

b
2

Squaring the longest side.

6 14 232
[

[ is the symbol for therefore

Squaring the two shorter sides, and adding.

152 6 62 142

The three sides do not follow c 2 a 2 b 2.

[ The triangle is not right-angled.

Exercise 1-06 Testing for right-angled triangles

See Example 11
Worked solutions

Copy each triangle, test whether it is right-angled, then mark the right angle on the triangle.
a

b
12

Exercise 1-06

c
40

26
10

MAT08MGWS10004

42

13

24

15

f
24

17

80

82

25

18

8.5

2.5

7.1

8.5
9.8

12.1

1.5

2
7.1

j
18

7.5

19.5

20

l
3.2

2.2

1.9

12.5
3.5

12

9780170189538

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

ustralian Curriculum

1-07 Pythagorean triads

A Pythagorean triad or Pythagorean triple is any group of three numbers that follow Pythagoras
theorem, for example, (3, 4, 5) or (2.5, 6, 6.5). The word triad means a group of three related
items (tri- means 3).

Worksheet
Pythagorean triads
MAT08MGWK10008
Technology worksheet

Summary
2

(a, b, c) is a Pythagorean triad if c a b .

Excel: Pythagorean
triples
MAT08MGCT00025

Any multiple of (a, b, c) is also a Pythagorean triad.

Example

Technology
Excel: Pythagorean
triples

12

MAT08MGCT00010

Test whether (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triad.

Solution
132 169
2

Squaring the largest number.

5 12 169
[

13 5 12

Squaring the two smaller numbers, and adding.

2

These three numbers follow Pythagoras theorem.

[ (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triad.

Example

13

(3, 4, 5) is a Pythagorean triad. Create other Pythagorean triads by multiplying (3, 4, 5) by:
1
a 2
b 9
c
2

Solution
a

2 3 (3, 4, 5) (6, 8, 10)

Checking: 102 100
62 82 100
[
102 62 82
[ (6, 8, 10) is a Pythagorean triad.

9 3 (3, 4, 5) (27, 36, 45)

Checking: 452 2025
272 362 2025
[
452 272 362
[ (27, 36, 45) is a Pythagorean triad.

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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

1
3 (3, 4, 5) (1.5, 2, 2.5)
2
Checking: 2.52 6.25
1.52 22 6.25
[
2.52 1.52 22
[ (1.5, 2, 2.5) is a Pythagorean triad.

Exercise 1-07 Pythagorean triads

See Example 12

Test whether each triad is a Pythagorean triad.

a (8, 15, 17)
d (5, 7, 9)
g (11, 60, 61)

c (30, 40, 50)

f (4, 5, 9)
i (15, 114, 115)

Which of the following is a Pythagorean triad? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

A (4, 6, 8)

See Example 13

b (10, 24, 26)

e (9, 40, 41)
h (7, 24, 25)

B (5, 10, 12)

C (6, 7, 10)

Use the spreadsheet you created in Technology: Pythagoras theorem tester to check your
answers to questions 1 and 2.

For each Pythagorean triad, create another Pythagorean triad by multiplying each number in
the triad by:
i a whole number
ii a fraction
iii a decimal.
a (5, 12, 13)
b (8, 15, 17)
c (30, 40, 50)
Check that each answer follows Pythagoras theorem.

Worked solutions

D (20, 48, 52)

d (7, 24, 25)

Pythagoras developed a formula for finding Pythagorean triads (a, b, c). If one number in the
triad is a, the formulas for the other two numbers are b 12 a 2  1 and c 12 a 2 1.
a If a 5, use the formulas to find the values of b and c.
b Hence show that (a, b, c) is a Pythagorean triad.

Use the formulas to find Pythagorean triads for each value of a.

a a7
b a 11
c a 15
e a9
f a 19
g a 10

Exercise 1-07
MAT08MGWS10005

d a4
h a 51

There are many other formulas for creating Pythagorean triads. Use the Internet to search for
some of them.

1-08 Pythagoras theorem problems

Worksheet
Applications of
Pythagoras theorem

Pythagoras theorem has many practical applications: from finding the diagonal length of a
television screen to calculating the distance a ship has sailed.

MAT08MGWK10009

22

9780170189538

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

Example

ustralian Curriculum

14
Worksheet

The size of a TV screen is described by the length of its

diagonal. If a flat screen TV is 58 cm wide and 32 cm
high, what is the size of its screen? Answer to the nearest
centimetre.

58 cm

Pythagoras theorem in
2D and 3D
MAT08MGWK10010

32 cm
Worksheet

Solution

TV screens

Let the diagonal length be d cm.

MAT08MGWK10011

d 2 58 2 32 2
4388
p
d 4388

d is the hypotenuse.

66:24198 . . .
 66
The size of the screen is 66 cm.

Example

15

A tower is supported by a wire that is 20 m long

and attached to the ground 10 m from the base of
the tower. How high does the wire reach up the
tower? Answer to the nearest 0.1 m.

The diagram

20 m wire

Solution
Let h m be how high the wire
reaches up the tower.
h2 202  102
300
p
h 300

h is a shorter side.

10 m

17:3205
 17:3
The wire reaches 17.3 m up the tower.

Exercise 1-08 Pythagoras theorem problems

See Example 14

2m

1 Find the length of this playground slide correct to two decimal places.

3m
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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

60 km

2 A ship sails 60 kilometres south and then 70 kilometres east. How

far is it from its starting point, correct to one decimal place?

70 km

3 What is the length of the cable used to stabilise a flagpole that is

12 metres high, if the cable is secured to the ground 4 m from the
base of the flagpole? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
cab

le

B 12.6 m
D 80 m

12 m

A 11.3 m
C 16 m

4m
See Example 15

4 Find the height of an LCD TV screen with a 51 cm diagonal if its length is 41 cm. Give your
answer correct to one decimal place.

6m

5 Find the length of the diagonal of a square with sides of

length 6 metres. Give your answer as a surd.

6 A firefighter places a ladder on a window sill 4.5 m

above the ground. If the foot of the ladder is 1.6 m
from the wall, how long is the ladder, correct to one
decimal place?

4.5 m

1.6 m
Worked solutions
Exercise 1-08
MAT08MGWS10006

7 By first using Pythagoras theorem to find the length of the unknown side, find the perimeter
of each shape below, correct to two decimal places, where necessary.
a

c
cm

65

24

cm

16 cm
12 cm

13 cm

25 cm

9780170189538

N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A

3m

8m

2.5 m

4m

ustralian Curriculum

12 m

4.5 m

h cm

cm

12

12

cm

8 An equilateral triangle has sides of 12 cm. Find its perpendicular

height, h, correct to two decimal places.

9 A rope is tied to the top of the 6 metre wall of a tent and tied to a peg in the ground. The peg
is 2 m from the bottom of the tent. How long is the rope, correct to two decimal places?
10 Olga holds a kite string 1.2 m above the ground. How high is the kite above the ground, to the
nearest metre?
30 m
26 m
1.2 m

11 Find the area of each shape below, correct to one decimal place where necessary.
a

16 cm

25
mm

11 cm

4m
9 mm

5m

18 cm

11

7m

24 mm

cm

41 m

20

cm

12 This baseball diamond is a square shape of length 27 m. What is the distance from the home
plate to second base, to the nearest metre?
27 m

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Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras theorem

13 The slant height of a cone is 27 cm and its vertical height is 14 cm.

Find the radius of the base circle, correct to the nearest centimetre.
27
cm

14 cm

r cm

14 A ladder 5 m long leans against a wall, with its base 2 m from the bottom of the wall. How far
does the ladder reach up the wall, correct to nearest centimetre?

Power plus
1

Find the value of x in each triangle, correct to one decimal place.

a

c
15

2x

32

62

3x

x
17

23

2x
3x

F
C

B
H

G
6m

15 m
U

For this cube of side length 15 cm find, correct to

one decimal place, the length of:
a QS, the diagonal of the base
b QT, the diagonal of the cube

T
N

M
R
Q

5m

Find, correct to one decimal place,

the length of:
a HD
b DE

S
P

15 cm
E

For this square pyramid, find the slant height EF

correct to one decimal place.

18 cm
D

Chapter 1 review

F
A

26

8 cm

9780170189538

Chapter 1 review

n Language of maths
area

hypotenuse

right-angled

surd

converse

irrational

shorter

theorem

diagonal

perimeter

side

triad

formula

Pythagoras

square root

unknown

Who was Pythagoras and what country did he come from?

Describe the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle in two ways.

What is another word for theorem?

For what type of triangle is Pythagoras theorem used?

What is a surd?

What is the name given to a set of three numbers that follows Pythagoras theorem?

Puzzle sheet
Pythagoras theorem
find-a-word
MAT08MGPS10001

n Topic overview

How relevant do you think Pythagoras theorem is to our world? Give reasons for your answer.
Give three examples of jobs that would use Pythagoras theorem.
What did you find especially interesting about this topic?
Is there any section of this topic that you found difficult? Discuss any problems with your
teacher or a friend.

Worksheet
Mind map: Pythagoras
theorem
MAT08MGWK10012

Copy and complete this mind map of the topic, adding detail to its branches and using pictures,
symbols and colour where needed. Ask your teacher to check your work.
PYTHAGORAS
THEOREM
Triads
3, _ , 5
5, 12 , _

Surds
2

T
rig estin
h g
tri t-an for
an gle
gle d
s

c 2 = a2 + b 2

Hy_ _

____

__
Problems

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27

Chapter 1 revision
See Exercise 1-01

1 Evaluate each expression, correct to two decimal places.

p
p
p
c
72  42
a
203
b
152 62

p
3:42 5:22

See Exercise 1-01

2 Select all the surds from this list of square roots.

p
p
p
p25

p104

p96

169
121
45

See Exercise 1-02

3 For each right-angled triangle, name the hypotenuse and write Pythagoras theorem.
a A

p
p256

729

p
p12

88

c
d

s
f
k

C
See Exercise 1-03

4 Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer as a surd.

a

25

17

35

10

x
5
See Exercise 1-04

5 Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer correct to two decimal places.
a

c
12

f
1

A
2.1

1.4

5.3

16

6 Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to one decimal place.

a

vm

ym

9.5

100 km

zk

6.4 m

33 mm

See Exercise 1-05

105 km
27 mm

28

9780170189538

Chapter 1 revision
7 Test whether each triangle is right-angled.
a

See Exercise 1-06

36

49

2.5

1.5

15

39

32
81

8 Test whether each triad is a Pythagorean triad.

a (15, 20, 25)
b (11, 14, 20)
c (20, 21, 29)

See Exercise 1-07

d (2.5, 6, 6.5)

9 Find the length of the longest pencil that can fit inside this pencil case. Answer to the nearest mm.

180 mm

100 mm

10 Find the perimeter of each shape, correct to one decimal place.

1.1 m

See Exercise 1-08

20 cm

m
3.8

40 cm

See Exercise 1-08

45 cm

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