Pythagorean Theorem and

Life An Online Research

By

Sadiq Merchant
1

Objectives
Three main objectives of this online
research are:
Trace the history of Pythagorean
Theorem
Discuss few related teaching ideas
Share certain real life applications
of Pythagorean Theorem

History
The Pythagorean Theorem is a special

rule in mathematics and its name was

probably kept after the ancient Greek
mathematician Pythagoras (569-500 B.C.),
who was perhaps the first to offer a proof
of the theorem.
But the fact is people had noticed the
special relationship between the sides of
a right triangle long before that.
3

Egyptians: Pyramids
The Egyptians knew

about the right angled

triangle.
They were able to use
this knowledge in the
construction of
pyramids, temples
and other buildings.

http://www.blog.dolorescannon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Egyptian-pyramid-and-stars.jpg

Babylonian Clay Tablets

Ancient clay tablets from

Babylonia indicate that they

had rules for generating
Pythagorean triples about 1000 years
before Pythagoras
This fact indicates that they understood
the relationship between the sides of a
right triangle.

(Illustration source:
http://www.swan.ac.uk/compsci/ResearchGroups/TheoryGroups/AlgMethFolder/DSTFolder/HistoryOfTables/Plimpton/Plimpton1TN.GIF)

Chou Pei Suan Ching

An ancient Chinese
treatise called Chou
Pei Suan Ching;
predating
Pythagoras, gives a
statement and a
demonstration of
the Theorem.
6

http://saxakali.com/COLOR_ASP/developcm3.htm

Ancient Indian Mathematicians

Ancient mathematicians from the
Indian sub-continent also knew the
Pythagorean theorem, in the form of
Sulba-sutras (800-600 B.C.)
These Sutras discuss the strict
requirements for the orientation,
shape, and area of altars for religious
purposes.
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/HistTopics/Indian_sulbasutras.html

Mayans Long Count calendar

It has also been
suggested that
the ancient
Mayans also used
variations of
Pythagorean
triples in their
Long Count
Calendar.
8

The Pythagoras Theorem

For a right angled
triangle with sides a, b,
c the Pythagorean
Theorem states that the
sum of the squares of
the lengths of the two
shorter sides of any
right angled triangle will
always be equal to the
square of the length of
the longest side.
9

(Illustration source: https://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?

pg=file&from=2&id=95)

Some Interesting Observation

For Whole No. values
One of the legs of the
right triangle is a
multiple of 3.

(3,4,5)
(5,12,13)
(7,24,25)
(8,15,17)
While the same leg or
(9,40,41)
the other one is a
(11,60,61)
multiple of 4.
(12,35,37)
One of the three sides (13,84,85)
is a multiple of 5.
(16,63,65)
10

Pythagoras Theorem

Visual
Proof
11

Proof: Pythagorean Theorem

12

A simple hands on proof

Step 1: Cut four identical right
triangles from a piece of paper.

13

A simple hands on proof

Step 2: Arrange the triangles with the
hypotenuse of each forming a square.
Area of large square = (a + b)2
a

b
a

c
b

c
c

Area of each part

4 Triangles = 4xab = 2ab
Red Square = c2
Total Area of 4 Triangles and
Red Square = 2ab +c2
Thus; (a + b)2 = 2ab +c2
a2 + 2ab + b2 = 2ab +c2

a 2 + b 2 = c2

Some More Proofs

100 plus ways to prove
Pythagoras Theorem
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/

15

Another Hands on Activity

Draw a square on
each side.

A Pythagorean Puzzle

A Pythagorean Puzzle

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
2

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
2

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
3

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
3

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
3

2
5

A Pythagorean Puzzle
1
2

5
4

Applications
The Pythagorean theorem has far-reaching
implications in many fields:
Computing distances between two points,
such as in navigation and land surveying.
Finding area of triangular surfaces.
Designing ramps for handicap persons,
skateboard parks.
Evaluating rational numbers.
27

Distance Problem

Suppose you
drive directly
west for 48 miles,

48

Distance Problem

Then turn south

and drive for 36
miles.

48
36

Distance Problem
How far are you from where you started?

On Applying Pythagorean Theorem

2

48 + 36

=c

36

48
?

=c
2
2304 1296 c
2

48 + 36

3600 c

60 = c
So you are 60 miles away from where you
started

The Distance Formula

The Pythagorean Theorem is often
easier for students to learn than the
distance formula.
(x ,y )
1

b = y2-y1

c = distance

a = x2-x1
32

(x2,y2)

The Distance Formula

Find the distance
between two points,
a and b with the
given co-ordinates
a(3, 4) & b(-4, 1)

ab 3 7
2

ab 3 7
2

33

ab 7.6 (1
dp )
approx.

3
7

Area of an Isosceles Triangle

Given that the base
of the triangle is
7m
7m
10 meters, and
h
other two sides
are of 7 meters.
10 m
The Polygon is
Using the
divided into two
Pythagorean
triangles each
Theorem the value
having height h
of h is found.
34

Area of an Isosceles Triangle

72
49
24
h

= 52 + h2
= 25 + h2
= h2
= 24
= bh
= (10)(24)
24.5 m2

7m

7m

10 m

7m

7m

h
5m

5m

10 m
35

Length of the Ramp

1m
8m
What is the length of the slope?

On Applying Pythagoras Theorem

a= 1m

c
b= 8m
c=a+ b
c=1+ 8
c=1 + 64
c=65
So c = 65 = 8.1 m approx.

Value of Irrational Numbers

Using a unit square, the
approximate value of the
irrational number 2 was
evaluated.

1
1

Unit Square

Value of Irrational Numbers

On continuing the
diagram value of the
3
irrational number 3 was
evaluated.
Continuing the diagram
3, 5, 6, 7, etc. were
also evaluated

10

11
12

13

1
1

14
6

15

16

1
1

17
18

Some Interesting Application

The skyscrapers shown above are

connected by a skywalk with
support beams. Here Pythagorean
Theorem can be applied to find the
length of each support beam.
41

Some Interesting Application

x2
x2
x

42

= (23.26)2 + (47.57)2
= 2803.9325
52.95

3D Problems: Pythagorean Theorem

The diagram shows a rectangular box with
top ABCD & base EFGH. Find the distance BG
A

B
3 cm

E 13.3 cm
D
12 cm

13 cm
G

43

5 cm

Finding FG, GHF

FG2 = 52 + 122
FG = (52 + 122)
FG = 13 cm
Finding BG. GFB
BG2 = 32 + 132
FG = (32 + 132)
FG = 13.3 cm

What Size TV Should You Buy?

A person wanted to buy a 21 inch T.V. He found a TV
that was 16 inch high and 14 inch wide.
Has he found the TV which he was looking for?

W2 = (16)2 + (14)2
x2 = 256 + 196
x
21.26 approx.

44

References
http://www.contracosta.edu/math/pythagoras.htm
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/
http://www.contracosta.edu/math/pythagoras.htm
http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/geo/pythafv/yhafv.html
http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/emt669/Student.Folders/Huberty.Greg/Pythagorean.html
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/pythagoras/
http://www.contracosta.edu/math/pythagoras.htm
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/
http://www.contracosta.edu/math/pythagoras.htm

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Thanks for listening patiently.

Sadiq Merchant
merchants786@yahoo.com
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