What is Pythagoras' Theorem?

You can use pythagoras' theorem to find the length of a side of a right angled triangle, provided that at least two of the lengths of the sides are known. The general rule is a2 + b2 = c2 where a, b and c are the labelled sides of the triangle with c being the hypotenuse (the longest side). Therefore if you have a triangle where the hypotenuse is unknown but the other two sides are 3 and 4 units long: 32 + 42 = c2 9 + 16 = c2 c2 = 25 c = 5 therefore the hypotenuse length is 5.

Answered by Victoria J. Maths tutor

3916 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Work out the value of 2a^2 + b^3 when a = 5 and b = –3


How would you solve 4x > 7 - 10x ?


x^2 - x - 90 = 0. Solve to find x.


Work out the value of (16/81)^3/4


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences