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Pythagorean Triples

Pythagorean triples are a2+b2 = c2 where a, b and c are the

three positive integers. These triples are represented as
(a,b,c). Here, a is the perpendicular, b is the base and c is
the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle. The most
known and smallest triplets are (3,4,5). Learn Pythagoras
theorem for more details.

Pythagoras who was a mathematician was interested in

mathematics, science, and philosophy. He was born in
Greece in about 570 BC. He is famous for a property of
triangles with a right angle i.e 900 angles, and the property
is known as Pythagoras Theorem. In a right-angled triangle,
the hypotenuse is the side ‘r’, the side opposite the right
angle. Adjacent to the right angle the shorter of the two
sides is the side p. In this article, let us discuss what is
Pythagorean triples, its formula, list, steps to _nd the
triples, examples, and proof.

Table of Contents:

De_nition
Formula
List
How to Form Pythagorean Triples
Proof
Common Pythagorean Triples
Examples
Problems
Video Lesson
FAQs

What are Pythagorean Triples?

The integer solutions to the Pythagorean Theorem, a2 + b2
= c2 are called Pythagorean Triples which contains three
positive integers a, b, and c.

Example: (3, 4, 5)

By evaluating we get:

32 + 42 = 52

9+16 = 25

Hence, 3,4 and 5 are the Pythagorean triples.

You can say “triplets,” but “triples” are the favoured term.
Let’s start this topic by an introduction of Pythagoras
theorem.

Table
(3, 4, 5) (5, 12, 13) (8, 15, 17) (7, 24, 25)

(20, 21, (12, 35, (28, 45,

(9, 40, 41)
29) 37) 53)

(11, 60, (16, 63, (33, 56, (48, 55,

61) 65) 65) 73)

(13, 84, (36, 77, (39, 80, (65, 72,

85) 85) 89) 97)

Pythagoras Triples Formula

If a triangle has one angle which is a right-angle (i.e. 90o),
there exists a relationship between the three sides of the
triangle.

If the longest side (called the hypotenuse) is r and the other

two sides (next to the right angle) is called p and q, then:

p2 + q2 = r2.

or,

The sum of the squares of the other two sides is the same
as the square of the longest side.

Pythagorean Triples List

The list of Pythagorean triples where the value of c is
above 100 is given below:

(20, 99, (60, 91, (15, 112, (44, 117,

101) 109) 113) 125)

(88, 105, (17, 144, (24, 143, (51, 140,

137) 145) 145) 149)

(85, 132, (119, 120, (52, 165, (19, 180,

157) 169) 173) 181)

(57, 176, (104, 153, (95, 168, (28, 195,

185) 185) 193) 197)

(84, 187, (133, 156, (21, 220, (140, 171,

205) 205) 221) 221)

(60, 221, (105, 208, (120, 209, (32, 255,

229) 233) 241) 257)

(23, 264, (96, 247, (69, 260, (115, 252,

265) 265) 269) 277)

Students can pick any triples from the above list and prove
the Pythagoras formula,i.e.,

a2+b2=c2

How to Form Pythagorean Triples?

How to Form Pythagorean Triples?

As we know, the number can be an odd number or an even

number. Now, let us discuss how to create the Pythagorean
triples.

Case 1: If the number is odd:

Let us assume the number be “x”.

If “x” is odd, then the Pythagorean triple = x, (x2/2) – 0.5,

(x2/2) + 0.5.

Consider an example (7, 24, 25). Now, let us discuss how to

form this Pythagorean triple.

Hre, x = 7, which is an odd number.

(x2/2) – 0.5 = (49/2) – 0.5 = 24.5 – 0.5 = 24

(x2/2) + 0.5 = (49/2) + 0.5 = 24.5 + 0.5 = 25

Hence, the Pythagorean triple formed is (7, 24, 25).

Case 2: If the number is even:

If “x” is even, then the Pythagorean triple = x, (x/2)2-1,

(x/2)2+1.

Let us assume an example, (16, 63, 65). Now, we will check

how to form the Pythagorean triple.

Here, x = 16, which is an even number.

(x/2)2 -1 = (16/2)2 – 1 = 82 – 1 = 64 – 1 = 63

(x/2)2 +1 = (16/2)2 +1 = 82 + 1 = 64 + 1 = 65.

Thus, the Pythagorean triple formed is (16, 63, 65)

Note: We can observe that there are in_nitely many

Pythagorean triples because the approaches give us a
triple for every positive whole number. Can these
procedures, however, produce all of them? The answer is
“No”. For example, the Pythagorean triple (20, 21, 29)
cannot be formed using these methods.

Try out: Pythagorean Triples Calculator

Pythagorean Triples Proof

Proof of Pythagoras theorem:

Look at the _gure above

In the _gure, at left,

Area of square = (a+b)2

Area of Triangle = 1/2(ab)

Area of the inner square = b2.

The area of the entire square = 4(1/2(ab)) + c2

Now we can conclude that

(a + b)2 = 4(1/2 (ab)) + c2.

or

a2 + 2ab + b2 = 2ab + c2.

Simplifying, we get Pythagorean triples formula,

a2 + b2 = c2

Hence Proved.

Triangular Numbers
The difference between successive squares is successive
odd numbers is a fact and suggests that every square is
the sum of two successive triangular numbers.

And in this, the triangular numbers are the successive

sums of all integers.

0 + 1 = 1,
0 + 1 + 2 = 3,
0 + 1 + 2 + 3 = 6, etc.

So the triangular numbers are 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21, 28, 36, 45,
55, 66, 78, 91, 105, 120, etc.

105 + 120 = 225; 225 is the square of 15.

Common Pythagorean Triples

As we know, the speci_c set of integers that satis_es the
Pythagoras theorem is called Pythagorean triples. It means
that the set of integer numbers has a special connection
with the Pythagoras theorem. Not only the set satis_es the
Pythagoras theorem, but also the multiples of the integer
set also satisfy the Pythagoras theorem.

For example, (3, 4, 5) is the most common Pythagorean

triples. When each integer number is multiplied by 2, we get
the set (6, 8, 10), which also satis_es the Pythagoras
theorem.

(i.e.,) 32 + 42  = 52

9+16 = 25

25 = 25

Similarly,62 + 82 = 102

36 + 64 = 100

100 = 100

This can be simply expressed as follows:

If a, b and c are the positive integers, which satis_es the

Pythagoras theorem, then ak, bk, ck will also satisfy the
Pythagoras theorem, when “k” is a positive integer.

Also, the Pythagorean triples can be found using different

methods, such as generalized Fibonacci sequence,
quadratic equations, using matrices and linear
transformations, and so on. The set of Pythagorean triples
is endless. We can prove that we have in_nitely many
Pythagorean triples with the help of (3, 4, 5)

Facts: An interesting fact about Pythagorean triples is that

Pythagorean triples always consist of all even numbers or
two odd numbers and an even number. 

A Pythagorean triple never be made up of all odd numbers

or two even numbers and an odd numbers

x2 x3 x4
Pythagorean
(Times (Times (Times
Triples
2) 3) 4)

3-4-5 6-8-10 9-12-15 12-16-20

5-12-13 10-24-26 15-36-39 20-48-52

28-96-
7-24-25 14-48-50 21-72-75
100

27-120- 36-160-
9-40-41 18-80-82
123 164

22-120- 33-180- 44-240-

11-60-61
122 183 244

Pythagorean Triples Examples

(With Answers)
So, the square of 3, 9, is the difference between 16,
the square of 4, and 25 the square of 5, giving us the
triplet 7,24,25.
Similarly, the square of 5, 25 is the difference
between 144, the square of 12, and 169, the square
of 13, giving us the triplet 5, 12, 13.

Pythagorean Triples Problems

Example 1: 

Prove that (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triple?

Solution:

To prove: (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean Triple

We know that, a2 + b2  = c2 

(a, b, c) = (5, 12, 13)

Now, substitute the values, 

52 + 122 = 132

25 + 144 = 169

169 = 169

Hence, the given set of integers satis_es the Pythagoras

theorem, (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triples.

Example 2: 

Check if (7, 15, 17) are Pythagorean triples.

Solution:

(a, b, c) = (7, 15, 17)

We know that a2 + b2  = c2 

By substituting the values in the equation, we get

72 + 152 = 172

49 + 225 =  289

274 ≠ 289

Hence, the given set of integers does not satisfy the

Pythagoras theorem, (7, 15, 17) is not a Pythagorean triplet.
Also, it proves that the Pythagorean triples are not made up
of all odd numbers.

Video Lesson

39,49,875

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

What are Pythagorean triples?
Pythagorean triples are non-negative integers say a,b and c,
which satis_es the following equation: a2+b2 = c2. Here a, b
and c are the sides of a right triangle where a is
perpendicular, b is the base and c is the hypotenuse.

What are the _ve most common

Pythagorean triples?
(3,4,5)
(5,12,13)
(7,24,25)
(9,40,41)
(11,60,61)

How to _nd Pythagorean triplets?

To _nd Pythagorean triplets, remember the rules below:
Every odd number is the p side of a Pythagorean triplet.
The q side of a Pythagorean triplet is simply (p2– 1)/2.
The r side is (q2 + 1)/2.
If p=9
q=(92-1)/2 = (81-1)/2 = 80/2 = 40
r=(92+1)/2 = (81+1)/2 = 82/2 = 41
Hence, (9,40,41) are the Pythagoras triples.

How to do scaling of triples?

If (3,4,5) are the Pythagorean triples, then if we scale them
by 2, we get;
(6,8,10)
So, 62+82=102
36+64=100
100 = 100

Is (4,5,8) is Pythagorean triple?

If (4,5,8) is a Pythagorean triple, then it should satisfy:
42+52=82
Let us take LHS _rst,
42+52 = 16+25 = 41
RHS = 82 = 64
Clearly, 41 is not equal to 64
Therefore (4,5,8) is not a pythagorean triples.

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