How to Calculate Pythagorean Theorem
What is Pythagorean Theorem?
The Pythagorean theorem states that in any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Written as a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Identify the right angle (90°) in the triangle
- 2Label the two shorter sides a and b, and the longest side (opposite 90°) as c
- 3Square each of a and b, then add them
- 4Take the square root of the sum to find c
Worked Examples
Input
a=3, b=4
Result
c = 5
3²+4²=9+16=25, √25=5
Input
a=5, b=12
Result
c = 13
25+144=169, √169=13
Input
a=8, b=15
Result
c = 17
64+225=289, √289=17
Input
c=10, a=6
Result
b = 8
10²−6²=100−36=64, √64=8
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