PYTHAGOREA

N THEOREM
MATHEMATICS PROJECT

JULY 19, 2023

BY YESHEY LHENDUP AND SONAM DORJI GYELTSHEN
12 SCIENCE “A” KARMA ACADEMY
Table of content
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Acknowledgement

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 Objectives
 To know the Pythagorean theorem’s statement
 To understand the Background and history of Pythagorean theorem
 To be aware of importance of Pythagorean theorem
 To understand Pythagorean theorem using a water demo
 To proof Pythagorean Theorem using Euclid’s Pythagorean Proof
 To explain the application of Pythagorean Theorem
 To know how to apply Pythagorean Theorem in our day-day to life

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 INTRODUCTION
The Theorem of Pythagoras is a well-known theorem. It is also a very old
one, not only does it bear the name of Pythagoras, an ancient Greek, but it
was also known to the ancient Babylonians and to the ancient Egyptians.
Most school students learn of it as a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
The actual statement of the theorem is more to do with areas. So, let’s have a
look at the statement of the theorem.
The Theorem of Pythagoras:
The theorem makes reference to a right-angled triangle such as that shown in Figure
1. The side opposite the right-angle is the longest side and is called the hypotenuse.
hyp
ote
n
use


Figure 1. A right-angled triangle with hypotenuse shown.
What the theorem says is that the area of the square on the hypotenuse is equal to
the sum of the areas of the squares on the two shorter sides. Figure 2 shows
squares drawn on the hypotenuse and on the two shorter sides. The theorem tells us
that area A + area B = area C.

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 C

A c
a

Figure 2. A right-angled triangle with squares drawn on each side.

An excellent demonstration of this is available on the accompanying video. If we
denote the lengths of the sides of the triangle as a, b and c, as shown, then area A =
a 2, area B = b 2 and area C = c 2. So, using Pythagoras’ theorem
 area A + area B
= area C
 a^2 + b^2 = c^2

DISCOVERY OF PYTHAGOREAN
THEOREM
The Pythagorean Theorem, also known as Pythagoras' Theorem, or the
hypotenuse theorem, is largely credited to the Greek mathematician,
Pythagoras of Samos (570-495 B.C.). Though many knew of this relationship
of right triangles and hypotenuses long before Pythagoras, it is named after
him because he wrote the first known proof which spread throughout the
world. Other versions of this notion were developed by mathematicians in
Egypt, Babylon, India, and China centuries before Pythagoras (Overduin). It is
difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the theorem, but many individuals have
proved it and contributed to the understanding of it throughout the years. This
page consists of some highlights in history of the Pythagorean Theorem. The
following individuals and groups of people are only a few of those who have
contributed to this essential theorem.
It is said that Pythagoras discovered "his theorem" in a palace hall. He
studied the stone square tiles when he was bored and pictured right triangles
within the tiling. He recognized that the area of the squares on the side
lengths were equal to the square on the hypotenuse. From this observation
he believed that the same would be true for right triangles of unequal side
lengths. Sometime after this experience, he arrived at the proof of his

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 theorem by the deductive method (Agarwal). The following picture is an
example of what the Pythagorean Theorem looks like within square tiles.
Although it may not be exactly what Pythagoras saw, this visual depiction
gives an idea of how the Pythagorean Theorem can be represented within
square tiling.

FIGURE 3.

Importance of Pythagorean theorem

Pythagorean Theorem:

The theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is
equal to the sum of squares of the other two sides.

AC^2=BC^2+BA^2
Figure 4.
Pythagorean Theorem is the relation between the three sides of a right-
angled triangle.
It is the base of the trigonometric ratios that have uses in various real-life
activities.
In construction, it is used to measure the number of steps needed in a
staircase or to find the angle of elevation or depression of an object.

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In architecture, it can be used to design shades depending on the light
from the sun or the slope of the roof for the rainwater to flow easily.
In surveying where the terrain is usually uneven, the Pythagoras theorem
is used to find the slope of the terrains.
For navigation, the theorem can be used to find the shortest distance.

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Pythagorean Theorem – water demo

In Water Demonstration
of the Pythagorean
Theorem the liquid is
allowed to flow into the
large square on the
hypotenuse and
demonstrates that the
two squares exactly fill
the lower square.
We built a Water Demo
of the Pythagorean
Theorem to help student
to better understand.
In order to built that we
used; 5 transparent files,
30 cm ruler, glue gun, 2
super glue, 1 electric
tape,

Figure 5. Water Demo of

Pythagorean Theorem

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Euclid’s Pythagorean Proof
There are many Pythagorean theorems, but among them Euclid’s proof is
probably one of the most well-known. Although it isn’t the simplest, his method
is still very clever!
Let’s break down his approach.

Figure 6
Pythagorean proposition
We start with this famous depiction of the Pythagorean proposition. In the
middle of three separate squares sits a right triangle. We want to show the
area of the two blue squares to equal the area of the red square — a² + b² =
c².

Figure 7
A new way to view the proposition
Euclid starts his proof with a new approach to the problem. If we can show the
orange square to shares the same area as the orange rectangle, likewise for
the purple section, then the area of the top two squares must equal that of the
larger bottom square.

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 Figure 8
Slicing our figure to reveal congruent triangles
Let’s focus on the orange sections for now. We slice the figure in such a way
as to obtain the red and blue triangles.
Notice how both triangles share the same edges — b and c. Furthermore,
both triangles also share the same Θ (theta) angle. So the angle between
edges b and c is 90° + Θ.
Hence, by the SAS (side angle side) rule, we know our red and blue triangles
to be congruent! How can we relate this to the area of our square and
rectangle?
Let’s take the area of our triangles and see where it leads…

Figure 9
Finding the areas of the two triangles
Our two separate triangles have different area equations, but we know they
are congruent. It stands to reason that congruent triangles have the same
area, so equating them leads to…

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 Figure 10
Relating the triangle’s area to the smaller rectangle and square
Wow! With a little bit of algebraic manipulation, we have shown the area of the
orange square to equal that of the orange rectangle.

Figure 11
Similar proof for the purple section
A similar proof can be used to show that the purple square and rectangle
share the same area as well.

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 Figure
12
Conclusion step for Euclid’s proof
And there we go! With just a couple more lines of algebraic manipulation, we
have shown a² + b² = c².
Phew! Although I do admit this proof was slightly more involved, I find it quite
elegant nonetheless.

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Applications of Pythagorean theorem
1. Navigation

Figure 13
The Pythagorean theorem is helpful in 2D navigation. While sailors
use it to calculate the shortest route by drawing two vertical lines and
two horizontal lines from their current position, pilots use it to
determine the precise geolocation to begin a safe descent to the
destination’s airport.

2. Painting

Figure 14
The Pythagoras theorem is another tool that painters use when
painting structures. To finish the job safely, they must assess the
ladder’s height and distance from the wall. In this instance, the ladder
serves as the theorem’s hypotenuse.

3. Architecture

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 Figure 15

In architecture, the Pythagorean theorem can be used to determine

the length of any diagonal that connects two straight lines. This
feature is very beneficial when designing and building.

4. Design and Construction

Figure 16
Square shapes and right angles are frequently used in building plans
and construction work. The Pythagoras theorem’s fundamental
property, which states that a triangle will always have a right angle if
its sides meet the condition, is used by engineers for this purpose.

5. Television and Computer Screens

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 Figure 17

The size of TVs and monitors is always specified in terms of diagonal.

If a television is specified as 32 inches in size, its size is the diagonal
measurement, known as the hypotenuse.

Other Applications of Pythagorean theorem:

1. The Pythagoras theorem is commonly used to find the lengths of sides

of a right-angled triangle. 
2. It is used to find the length of the diagonal of a square.
3. Pythagoras theorem is used in trigonometry to find the trigonometric
ratios like sin,cos,tan,cosec,sec,cot.sin,cos,tan,cosec,sec,cot.
4. Pythagoras theorem is used in security cameras for face recognition.
5. The Pythagoras theorem is applied in surveying the mountains.
6. By using the Pythagoras theorem, we can derive the formula for base,
perpendicular and hypotenuse.
7. Pythagoras theorem is used to calculate the steepness of slopes of
hills or mountains.
8. The converse of the Pythagoras theorem is used to check whether a
triangle is a right triangle or not.

The Pythagorean Theorem is the basis for many fields outside of

math, including physics, geology, architecture, and more. Children can
practice the Pythagoras theorem through a variety of interactive
activities, including math games, puzzles, and worksheets.

Using Clinometer to measure heights

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 A clinometer is a tool that is used to measure the angle of elevation, or angle
from the ground, in a right - angled triangle. You can use a clinometer to
measure the height of tall things that you can't possibly reach to the top of,
flag poles, buildings, trees. Follow the directions below to create your own
clinometer.

You will need:

1. A protractor with a small hole on the centre spot or

2. Print out of paper protractor (see below)
3. Poster board or card board (can be from a box) to back the protractor
4. 20 cm or about 8 inches of string or strong cotton
5. Weight - such as a metal nut, paper clips or a small piece of clay
6. Glue and Scissors
7. A straw
8. Clear Tape

Directions:

1. If you are making a protractor, cut out the copy of the protractor.
2. Get the piece of poster board or an empty box. Stick the paper protractor on
top of the card and cut the joined pieces.
3. Get the straw and tape it to the straight edge of your protractor that you made
above.
4. With your pen or pencil, poke a hole through the center of the protractor
where it meets the straw. Push the string through the hole and tie a large knot
on the other side so it won't pull through.
5. Tie your weight to the other end of the string.

To use the clinometer:

1. The diagram shows what the assembled clinometer will look like when laying
an a flat surface. When using it, the straw will be on the top.

2. You will need two people: one to look through the straw and site the top of an
object and one to read the degrees that the string makes with the protractor.
3. Find a tall tree (or building, flag pole etc.) in a place where there is plenty of
space to move away from the object that you are measuring.
4. Look through the straw and find the top of the tree.

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5. Ask your friend to read the angle being recorded on the clinometer. This is
read where the string or cotton is touching the protractor.
6. Keep moving back (or forward if you've gone too far) until you have the
clinometer angle measuring 45 degrees. With a 45 degree angle your job will
be much easier as the distance from you to the tree will be equal to the
distance from the ground to the top of the tree.
7. Measure the distance between where you are standing and the base of the
tree.
8. Measure the distance from your eyes to the ground (this is where your
partner is indispensible!)
9. Add these two distances together - because to be most accurate the triangle
has to finish at your feet not your eyes.
10. You now have a very close approximation of the height of the tree, building
or other tall structure.
11. You, the base of the tree and the top of the tree, form an isosceles triangle
meaning the distance from you to the base of the tree is equal to the height
of the tree (from the viewer's eyes to the top).

Use this to measure the height and Pythagorean theorem to measure the
distance between the top of the object and you.
Use object as :
1. A tree
2. Flag pole
3. Building

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Result

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CONCLUSION

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Reference

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