How does Pythagoras Theorem work?

The Pythagoras Theorem only works with right-angled triangles. If you see a triangle other than right-angled triangles, then you do not need to apply the Pythagoras Theorem. The right-angled triangle has three sides, as with all triangles, and they are all labelled. One side is known as the hypotenuse (the longest side). The other two are known as the adjacent and the opposite. These two labels are determined by where the angle is but this is irrelevant when determining the length of a side using Pythagoras Theoream. The equation for the Pythagoras Theorem is a(squared)=b(squared)+c(squared). The a is the length of the hypotenuse. So you can find the length of the hypotenuse squared by squaring and adding the length of both the adjacent and opposite sides of the right-angled triangle. And to find the opposite or the adjacent length, you just rearrange and this is quite simple. 

Answered by Kamran H. Maths tutor

6874 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Find the equation of the line that passes through ( 5 , -4 ) and (3,8).


How do you solve linear inequalities such as: 5x – 2 > 3x + 11


Mark wants to borrow money to buy a car. His bank offers him a loan of £5,000 to be payed back over 3 years at 4% compound interest. a) Work out the interest acquired in the 2nd year. b) In total how much will Mark end up paying back the bank?


Find the equation of the line that passes through (2, 4) and (7, -11)


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