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Pythagorean theorem

The Pythagorean theorem applies to every right-angled triangle

 

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Explanation

The picture shows 3 identical rectangular triangles, ∆ ABC, ∆ CBD and ∆ ACD.

The proportions of the sides are

and

so that

Because AD + BD = AB, the Pythagorean theorem follows directly from this

a² + b² = c²

 

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Example 1

You can see that 3² + 4² = 5², as

3² + 4² = 25

 

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History The old Greek mathematician Pythagoras (572 BC - 500 BC) is famous for his number theory.

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