Pythagorean Theorem

c2
a=____ b=____ c=____

a2

b2 In any right triangle, the sum of

the square of the lengths of the
legs is equal to the square length
of the hypotenuse

1
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

Bridges The William H.

Harsha Bridge is a cable-
stayed bridge that spans the
Ohio River between
Maysville, Kentucky, and
Aberdeen, Ohio. About how
long is the cable shown in
red?

2
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle.
The legs are the sides that form the right angle. The lengths of the legs
and the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle are related by the
Pythagorean theorem.

3
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

Pythagorean Theorem
Words For any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the
lengths of the legs equals the square of the length
of the hypotenuse.

Algebra a2 + b2 = c2

4
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

EXAMPLE 1 Finding the Length of a Hypotenuse

To find the length (to the nearest foot) of the cable on

the William H. Harsha bridge if the tower is 212 feet and
bridge surface is 478 feet, use the right triangle formed
by the tower, the bridge surface, and the cable.

a2 + b2 = c2 Pythagorean theorem

212 2 + 478 2 = c 2 Substitute 212 for a and 478 for b.

44,944 + 228,484 = c 2 Evaluate powers.
273,428 = c 2 Add.

273,428 = c Take positive square root of each side.

523 c Use a calculator. Round to nearest whole number.

ANSWER The length of the cable is about 523 feet.

5
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

EXAMPLE 2 Finding the Length of a Leg

Find the unknown length a in simplest form.

a2 + b2 = c2 Pythagorean theorem

a 2 + 10 2 = 12 2 Substitute.

a 2 + 100 = 144 Evaluate powers.

a 2 = 44 Subtract 100 from each side.

a = 44 Take positive square root of each side.

a = 2 11 Simplify.

ANSWER The unknown length a is 2 11 units.

6
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem The Pythagorean theorem can be

written in “if-then” form.

Theorem: If a triangle is a right triangle, then a 2 + b 2 = c 2.

If you reverse the two parts of the statement, the new statement is called
the converse of the Pythagorean theorem.

Converse: If a 2 + b 2 = c 2, then the triangle is a right triangle.

Although not all converses of true statements are true, the converse of
the Pythagorean theorem is true. You can use it to determine whether
a triangle is a right triangle.

7
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

EXAMPLE 3 Identifying Right Triangles

Determine whether the triangle with the given side lengths is a right triangle.

a = 3, b = 5, c = 7

SOLUTION

a2 + b2 = c2
?
32 + 52 = 72
?
9 + 25 = 49
34 = 49

ANSWER Not a right triangle.

8
LESSON
11.2 The Pythagorean Theorem

EXAMPLE 3 Identifying Right Triangles

Determine whether the triangle with the given side lengths is a right triangle.

a = 3, b = 5, c = 7 a = 15, b = 8, c = 17

SOLUTION SOLUTION

a2 + b2 = c2 a2 + b2 = c2
? ?
32 + 52 = 72 15 2 + 8 2 = 17 2
? ?
9 + 25 = 49 225 + 64 = 289
34 = 49 289 = 289

ANSWER Not a right triangle. ANSWER A right triangle.

9
Lesson 11-2 The Pythagorean Theorem
Additional Examples

Find c, the length of the hypotenuse.

c2 = a2 + b2 Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

c2 = 282 + 212 Replace a with 28, and b with 21.

c2 = 1,225 Simplify.

c = 1,225 = 35 Find the positive square root of each side.

The length of the hypotenuse is 35 cm.
Quick Check

10
11-2
Lesson 11-2 The Pythagorean Theorem
Additional Examples

Find the value of x in the triangle.

Round to the nearest tenth.

a2 + b2 = c2 Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

72 + x2 = 142 Replace a with 7, b with x, and c with 14.

49 + x2 = 196 Simplify.

x2 = 147 Subtract 49 from each side.

x = 147 Find the positive square root of each side.

11
11-2
Lesson 11-2 The Pythagorean Theorem
Additional Examples

(continued)

Then use one of the two methods below to

approximate 147 .
Method 1: Use a calculator.
A calculator value for 147 is 12.124356.
x 12.1 Round to the nearest tenth.
Method 2: Use a table of square roots.
Use the table on page 800. Find the number
closest to 147 in the N2 column. Then find the
corresponding value in the N column. It is a
little over 12.
x 12.1 Estimate the nearest tenth. Quick Check
The value of x is about 12.1 in.
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11-2
Lesson 11-2

The carpentry terms span, rise, and

rafter length are illustrated in the diagram. A
carpenter wants to make a roof that has a span
of 20 ft and a rise of 10 ft. What should the
rafter length be?

c2 = a2 + b2 Use the Pythagorean Theorem.

c2 = 102 + 102 Replace a with 10 (half the span), and b with 10.
c2 = 100 + 100 Square 10.
c2 = 200 Add.
c = 200 Find the positive square root.
c 14.1 Round to the nearest tenth.
Quick Check
The rafter length should be about 14.1 ft.
13
11-2
 The Pythagorean Theorem
Lesson 11-2

Is a triangle with sides 10 cm, 24 cm,

and 26 cm a right triangle?
2
a2 + b 2 = c Write the equation for the Pythagorean
Theorem.
102 + 242 262 Replace a and b with the shorter
lengths and c with the longest
length.

100 + 576 676 Simplify.

676 = 676
The triangle is a right triangle.
Quick Check

14
11-2