Find the opposite length of the triangle with hypotenuse length 5 and adjacent length 4.

I would start off by asking them if they know the Pythagoras theorem. If they don't, I would refresh their memory and explain that its a2+b2=c2 where c is the hypotenuse (longest length). I would then ask them to draw out the triangle to help them visualise it and ask them to label the sides with a, b or c. Following this, I would ask the student to substitute the values given in the question into the equation and rearrange it so a is in the front and then go on to solve the equation. 

So b=4 and c=5. a2+42=52 hence a2=52-42. a2=25-16=9. a2=9 so a=3

Once solved, I would ask them another question of the same topic and without prompts, ask them to solve it themselves to see where their understanding might be hindered. I would go through the steps with them again. 1) Draw the triangle 2)Label the sides with a,b or c and their values  3) enter the values into the equation a2+b2=c 4)solve the equation 

Answered by Fatema D. Maths tutor

2491 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

ABC and BCD are two attached triangles, attached along line BC. AB = 5.8cm, AC=5.2cm, BD=4.3cm. Angle BDC = 30 degrees, and angle DCB is a right angle. Calculate angle CBA.


How do I rationalised and simplify surds?


Expand the brackets: (2x + 4)(x + 3)


Issy goes to buy some fruit. She has been told by one friend that 2 apples and 3 bananas costs £3.80. She has been told by another friend that 5 apples and a banana costs £3.65. what are the individual costs of an apple and a banana?


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