Pythagoras theorem

 The Pythagorean theorem is related to the study

of sides of a right angled triangle.
 It is also called as Pythagoras theorem.
 The Pythagorean theorem states that,
 In a right triangle
(length of the hypotenuse) 2 =
{(1st side) 2 + (2nd side) 2 }

c2 = a2 + b2 c
a

b
 The Theorem:
The square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle
is equal to the sum of the squares of the other 2
sides (legs)

a2 + b2 = c2

But what does it mean???

Pythagorean Theorem
 Pythagoras theorem
 In a right angled triangle three sides: Hypotenuse,
Perpendicular and Base. The base and the perpendicular
make an angle is 900.So, according to Pythagorean
theorem:
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Perpendicular)2 + (Base)2
Pythagoras Theorem Proof:
Given: Δ ABC is a right angled triangle where <B = 900
And AB = P, BC= b and AC = h
A
To Prove: h2 = p2 + b2
p h

B b C
 Pythagoras theorem
Construction : Put a perpendicular BD from B to AC ,
where AD = x and CB = h-x ,
Proof : Consider the two triangles A
Δ ABC and Δ ABD, these two triangles
are similar to each other because of x h
AA similarity. This is because both the p D
triangle have a right angle and one (h-x)
common angle at A.
In Δ ABC and Δ BDC both are similar C
B b
So by these similarity,

p b
= x AND = (h-x)
h p h b
 Pythagoras theorem
p b
= x AND = (h-x)
h p h b
A
P2 = h * x and b2 = h (h – x)
x h
p D
Adding both L.H.S. and R.H. S. (h-x)

C
P2 + b2 = h.x + h (h - x) B b

Or P2 + b2 = h.x + h2 – h.x
h2 = p 2 + b2
converse o f t h e P y t h a g o r a s Theorem
 In a triangle, if square of one side is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other two sides, then the angle opposite the
first side is a right angle.
Given: In a triangle ABC in which AC2 = AB2 + BC2

To prove: ∠B = 90

B C
converse o f t h e P y t h a g o r a s Theorem
Construction: A Δ PQR right angled at Q such that
PQ = AB and QR = BC (figure)
Proof: from Δ PQR,
we have: PR2 = PQ2 +QR2
(Pythagoras Theorem, as ∠Q = 90 )
or, PR2 = AB2 +BC2
(By construction) ……………. (i)

A P

B C Q R
converse o f t h e P y t h a g o r a s Theorem
But given, AC2 = AB2 + BC2……………………. (ii)
From (i) and (ii)
AC = PR …………………………….(iii)
Now, in Δ ABC and Δ PQR,
AB = PQ …………………(By construction)
BC = QR ………………...(By construction)
AC = PR …………….Proved in (iii) above

A P

B C Q R
converse o f t h e P y t h a g o r a s Theorem

So, Δ ABC ≅ Δ PQR …………….(SSS congruence)

Therefore, ∠B = ∠Q ...........................(CPCT)

But, ∠Q = 90 …………………..(By construction)

So, ∠B = 90 Proved
A P

B C Q R
Example Problem
Real World Uses
Architecture, Engineering, Surveying
CAD (Computer Aided Drafting)
Military Applications
Cartography (Map-Making/Directions)
 It’s Uses
Determine side length
of triangles
Height, distance of
objects
The Distance Formula
Range finding