KEY CONCEPT KEY

CONCEPT

The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem states that

if the sum of the squares of the lengths of two sides
of a triangle is equal to the square of the length of
a
the third side, the triangle is a right triangle.
c Converse of Pythagorean Theorem
If a2 + b2 = c 2 , then a triangle is a
right triangle.

Do You Understand? Do You Know How?

1. Essential Question   How can you determine 4. Is the triangle a right triangle? Explain.
whether a triangle is a right triangle?

10 cm
6 cm

8 cm

2. Construct Arguments  A triangle has side

lengths of 3 centimeters, 5 centimeters, and
4 centimeters. Abe used the Converse of the
Pythagorean Theorem to determine whether
it is a right triangle. 5. Is the triangle a right triangle? Explain.
32 +52 =? 42
9+25 =? 16
8 in.
34 ≠ 16 √28 in.

Abe concluded that it is not a right triangle.

Is Abe correct? Explain.  MP.3 √26 in.

6. Is the purple triangle a right triangle? Explain.

3. Use Structure  When you are given three

side lengths for a triangle, how do you know
which length to substitute for a, b, or c in the 15.5 m
Pythagorean Theorem?  MP.7 20.8 m

14.0 m

390 7-2 
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