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Py thagoras T heorem
T P OR PASS
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Fill in these spaces with any other interesting facts you can find about Pythagoras. In the world of Mathematics, Pythagoras is a legend. He lived from 580BC 500BC.
One of his most recognised discoveries was the relationship between the side lengths of all right-angled triangles.
is Give th
a go!
The numbers 3, 4, 5 have the following relationship: 32 + 42 = 52 9 + 16 = 25 Find another group of three whole numbers that includes the number 14 and has the same relationship.
psst! the other two numbers are somewhere between 45 and 55!
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Pythagoras Theorem
These special triangles all have a right-angle (angle of size 90o) as one of the internal angles.
Short side
Right angle
Other short side The two shorter sides are always perpendicular to each other. For each of these right-angled triangles, name the hypotenuse and then draw in the right-angle. (i) (ii)
Sides are lower case and corners are CAPITALS
b a c The hypotenuse is the longest side ` hypotenuse = side c The hypotenuse is the longest side ` hypotenuse = side XZ X Z
The right-angle is the angle opposite the hypotenuse The hypotenuse is always opposite the right-angle b
opposite
Y a X
hypotenuse opposite
hypotenuse
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Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
For each of these right-angled triangles, name the hypotenuse and draw the right-angle in the correct position.
a b
P Hypotenuse is side:
R
T A RI NG LE S
ED GL AN TGH RI
N -A
GL
ED
HT
G RI
a b Hypotenuse is side:
L N Hypotenuse is side:
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Pythagoras Theorem
When squares are drawn using each side length of a right-angled triangle, something interesting happens. For the triangle below: (i) Use the side lengths in the triangle to create three squares.
4 units
5 units
3 units
5 units 4 units
3
4 units
1
5 units
3 units
2
Area of a square = (side length)2
3 units (ii) Calculate the area of each square formed and write a relationship between them. Area 1 = 4 # 4 = 42 = 16 Area 2 = 3 # 3 = 32 = 9 Area 3 = 5 # 5 = 52 = 25 Area
1 + Area 2 = Area 3
= 25 units2
16 units2 + 9 units2
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Pythagoras Theorem
GL
Show that the relationship between the areas of the squares formed using each side length works for these right-angled triangles:
1
NG
SQ UA RE S
TR
AN D
- AN
ED
RI GH T
IA
- ANG L
5 units
13 units 12 units
Area 1 =
5 units
Area 2 =
Area 3 =
12 units
10 units 8 units
6 units
Area 1 =
3
10 units
Area 2 =
1
6 units Area 3 =
2
8 units
Try the jigsaw puzzle at the back of this booklet to see another way of showing this property.
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Pythagoras Theorem
The squares and right-angled triangles section showed that a relationship exists between the side lengths of right-angled triangles. This relationship is called Pythagoras Theorem.
hypotenuse
a2 + b2 = c2
If the rule does not work, then it is not a right-angled triangle. Use Pythagoras Theorem to determine which of the following triangles are right-angled or not. (i) 8 4 1.7 6 Substitute lengths into Pythagoras Theorem (short side)2 + (other short side)2 = (longest side)2 0.8 (ii) 1.5
0.82 + 1.52 = 1.72 0.64 + 2.25 = 2.89 2.89 = 2.89 ` is a right-angled triangle
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Pythagoras Theorem
25
15 14 20
12
Right-angled
Not right-angled
Right-angled
Not right-angled
3.4 7.1
9.6
Right-angled
Not right-angled
Right-angled
Not right-angled
20
21
FOR RIGH T-AN GLED TRIA NGLE S
24 29 25
FOR
c 2=
a 2+
b2
Right-angled
Not right-angled
Right-angled
Not right-angled
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16 20 K 12 J 24 B I
10
10.5 H 14.5 M 29 K
52 20 L 21 A 15 C N H 20 48 48 G
Earn an awesome passport with this one! Name all the right-angled triangles in this image and mark where the right-angles are with the correct symbol. R 15 T 36 24 3280 52 The right-angled triangles are: P 5 15 Q 16 V
Diagram not drawn to scale.
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M BY RE ME O AS HE T UR S EM A R EN O G T HA T PY
B EM Y M OR EA HE SU T R E AS ME OR NT AG TH PY
(i) Use a ruler to carefully measure the length of each side to the nearest whole millimetre. (ii) Use the measurements to complete the table at the bottom of the page.
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c a
1
c
2
b b c c
3
a
5
c c
6
a
1 2 3 4 5 6
a2
b2
c2
a2 + b2
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Pythagoras Theorem
e can use Pythagoras Theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse if the W two shorter sides of the right-angled triangle are already known. The order that we put the short side values into the formula does not matter. Calculate the length of the hypotenuse for this right-angled triangle.
c2 = a2 + b2
7 24
Hypotenuse2 = short side2 + other short side2 Lets label the hypotenuse c ` c2 = 72 + 242 c2 = 49 + 576 c2 = 625 `
Stop here if asked for answer in exact form To calculate the length c, square root this value or c = 24 + 7 short side order does not matter
2 2 2
c =
625
Write the positive answer only because its a length
c = 25 units
Rounded off decimal values are approximate answers only, so the '' symbol should be used. Calculate the length of the hypotenuse for this right-angled triangle accurate to 2 decimal places. m 8.16 units Hypotenuse2 = short side2 + other short side2 ` m2 = 8.162 + 3.142 m2 = 66.5856 + 9.8596 m2 = 76.4452
exact form To calculate the length m, square root this value Answer in square root form Write full calculator reading before rounding Approximate answer rounded to 2 decimal places Label the hypotenuse for easy referencing
3.14 units
m =
76.4452 units
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Pythagoras Theorem
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c g 8 c2 = 62 + ` c2 = ` c2 = +
2
g2 = 82 + ` g2 = ` g2 =
exact form units
exact form
` `
c = c =
` g = ` g =
units
Use Pythagoras Theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse in each of these triangles.
a
1.6 1.2
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Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
Calculate the length of the hypotenuse in each of these triangles, leaving answers in exact form.
a
6.0 1.1 h
35 n
12
Calculate the length of the hypotenuse in each of these triangles, rounding answers to 2 decimal places.
psst! Remember to use the for rounded answers.
a
c 10 units 9 units
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Pythagoras Theorem
Stage 1
198m
CAL CU
TING THE LA 2
2 c =
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Pythagoras Theorem
To calculate a short side length in a right-angled triangle, the formula needs a little adjusting.
a2 = c2 - b2
Subtract the given short side squared away from the hypotenuse squared. Calculate the length of the missing side for this right-angled triangle.
15 units
12 units Short side2 = hyponenuse2 - other short side2 or a2 = c2 - b2 Lets label the short side a ` a2 = 152 - 122 a2 = 225 - 144 a2 = 81 ` a = 81 units
Write the positive answer only because its a length To calculate the length of a, square root this value Always (longest side)2 (smaller side)2
` a = 9 units
Answers left in square root form are not approximations, so the = can still be used. Calculate the length of side k for this right-angled triangle, leaving answer in exact form. 7.3 k 1.9
Hypotenuse2 = short side2 + other short side2 ` k2 = 7.32 - 1.92 k2 = 53.29 - 3.61 k2 = 49.68 ` k = 49.68 units
or
k2 = c2 - a2
Label the hypotenuse for referencing To calculate the length k, square root this value Answer in exact form
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Pythagoras Theorem
a 24
26
1.3 8.5
a2 = 262 ` a2 = ` a2 = ` a = ` a = -
b2 = ` b2 = ` b2 = ` b =
units
- 1.32
` b =
units
Use Pythagoras Theorem to calculate the length of the missing short side in each of these triangles.
a
18 units
70
56
18.1 units
CALCU L
T ING HE L AT
c 2 a =
2
-b
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Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
Calculate the length of the missing short side in each of these triangles, leaving answers in square root form.
a b
11.75 w
b 11 14.25
17
Calculate the length of the missing short side in each of these triangles, rounding answers to 1 decimal place.
psst! Remember to use the . for rounded off answers.
a b
23.42
y x 41.08
13.8 8.3
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Pythagoras Theorem
O TIME MB
CO
The special name given a right-angled triangle which is exactly one half of an equilateral triangle: = 1 2 3 4 5 6 15 c 14.12 20 545 2 a 544 4 42 42.1 I b M 73.4 E 2.9
triangle
41.9
5 Q
25
53.2 e 68 1 h 20 14.16 g 67
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BO TI COM M
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Pythagoras Theorem
Distances that are difficult to measure can be solved using Pythagoras Theorem. Calculate how far a 15m support will reach up a wall if standing 9m away from its base.
Support
15m
Pythagoras Theorem is often used to calculate unknown lengths in perimeter and area calculations. Calculate the perimeter of the garden shaped like a right-angled triangle shown below.
12m
` c = 37m ` Perimeter of the garden = 35 m + 12 m + 37 m Add all the side distances together = 84 m
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Pythagoras Theorem
EM OR HE T S RA GO A TH PY
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OF
13m
12m
x Gini has made a pudding in a large 42cm by 34cm tray. If she first cuts the pudding diagonally from one corner to the other, how long was the cut Gini made to the nearest whole cm? 42cm
34cm
To avoid going through a muddy swamp, Mila walks 1.7km west and then 3.9km South. (i) How far is Mila away from where she started at the end of this walk? Round answer to 2 decimal places.
psst! West and South directions are perpendicular (90o) to each other.
1.7km
Start
3.9km
Finish (ii) How much further did Mila have to walk to avoid the swamp?
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Pythagoras Theorem
2.6m
17m (ii)
Base length
The mouse wants to run the shortest path from point A to point C across the floor shown. Calculate the shortest path between these two points if corner B blocks the direct path. C
5
B 3.3m A 18m
54.4m
(i) Calculate the length of the side marked y. (ii) Calculate the perimeter of the trapezium. 172cm (i)
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Pythagoras Theorem
E SOM * E W
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34 W
16
Calculate the length of the cable support BD on the crane picture below if CD = 9.5m, AB = 6m and BC = 18.5m.
8
B 6m
18.5m 9.5m
D A
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Use Pythagoras Theorem twice to find the distance between points X and Y.
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Pythagoras Theorem
A Pythagorean triad is the special name given to a set of three positive integers that work in Pythagoras Theorem. Pythagorean triad integers represent the side lengths of a right-angled triangle. The integers 3, 4 and 5 form the best known Pythagorean triad.
" 3,4,5 ,
Remember: integers are just whole numbers. Braces are used to display a set of integers
5 4
Because each integer is a side length for a right-angled triangle, negative values are not allowed. Pythagoras Theorem is used to show if a set of three integers form a Pythagorean triad. Show whether these sets of integers form a Pythagorean triad or not. (i) " 8 , 22 , 24 , (ii) " 9 , 12 , 15 ,
Test to see if: (largest value)2 = (smallest value)2 + (middle value)2 Largest value Middle value = 24 = 22 Largest value Middle value = 15 = 12
Smallest value = 8 Test: does 242 = 82 + 222 ? 576 = 64 + 484 ? 576 ! 548
225 = 225
No
Yes
No
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Pythagoras Theorem
N
A TRI DS
3
THAGOREA PY
THAGOREA PY
Write the side lengths of these right-angled triangles as a Pythagorean triad set. 20 12 24 16
" 12 ,16 , 20 ,
psst! Note that they are written in order of size.
c b
26 10
35 12
37
41 40
} { , , }
Show whether these sets of positive integers form a Pythagorean triad or not.
a
" 7 , 24 , 25 ,
" 14 , 48 , 50 ,
" 12 , 34 , 36 ,
Yes
d
No
e
Yes " 16 , 60 , 63 ,
No
f
Yes " 12 , 30 , 31 ,
No
" 15 , 36 , 39 ,
Yes
No
Yes
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Yes
No
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AD TRI S
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Pythagoras Theorem
Euclid of Alexandria (a Greek mathematician) developed this method to find most Pythagorean triads: Step 1: Choose two positive integers p and q. When you pick these integers, make p larger than q i.e. p > q Step 2: Substitute values for p and q into these to make a Pythagorean triad:
" p2 - q2 , 2pq , p2 + q2 ,
small integer other small integer largest integer
Use the values p = 3 and q = 2 to make a Pythagorean triad. For the values p = 3 and q = 2
" p2 - q2 , 2pq , p2 + q2 , " 32 - 22 , 2 # 3 # 2 , 32 + 22 , " 9 - 4 , 12 , 9 + 4 , " 5 , 12 , 13 ,
Calculate final values Substitute in p and q values
Here is another example with a specific request. Use Euclids formula to make a Pythagorean triad that contains the number 8.
" p2 - q2 , 2pq , p2 + q2 ,
Let 2pq = 8
This will be the easiest to use this time p > q and ensures a value of 8 Substitute in p and q values
` p = 4 and q = 1
" 42 - 12 , 2 # 4 # 1 , 42 + 12 , " 16 - 1 , 8 , 16 + 1 , " 15 , 8 , 17 , " 8 , 15 , 17 ,
Calculate final values Put values into ascending order for triad
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Pythagoras Theorem
Complete this table for the given values of p and q to make Pythagorean triads. p q p2 - q2 2pq p2 + q2 Triad
2 3 5 7 11 21
1 1 2 6 3 18
Make Pythagorean triads matching each of these specific requests. (i) Find a Pythagorean triad in which p = 7 and p2 - q2 is equal to 33.
EU
AIDS TR
* " p - q , 2p
2 2
IDS FOR CL
q , p2
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FOR P LA Y MU
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Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
er m Rememb
e?
Use the space below to show why the value of p must be greater than the value of q when using Euclids formula to find a Pythagorean triad. Use your own values of p and q to help show your answer.
* AWESOM
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Pythagoras Theorem
When squares are drawn using each side length of a right-angled triangle, something interesting happens. 1 1 4 3 1 2 7 1
Starting with this isosceles triangle, each new right-angled triangle is built using the hypotenuse of the previous one.
1 1 6 1
8 9 10 11 12 1 1 1 1
The length of the longest sides form a nice square root number pattern.
How does this work? Using Pythagoras Theorem: a b ` for the first triangle: 1 1 ` for the second triangle: 1 c 2 c = = = 1 +( 2) 1+ 2 3 2
2 2
c2 = a2 + b2 ` c = a2 + b2
c = =
12 + 12 2
1 1 1
The pattern continues in this fashion always using 1 as the shortest side value.
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Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
Using the start made for you, continue the pattern always using 2 as the shortest side value to create your own neat spiral wheel.
WHEEL OF
EODORUS TH
2 8 2 2
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WHEEL OF
EODORUS TH
Your Turn
Pythagoras Theorem
Write about one way you think you could apply Pythagoras Theorem to a real life situation.
If you discovered or learnt about any shortcuts to help with Pythagoras calculations or some other cool facts, jot them down here:
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Cheat Sheet
Pythagoras Theorem
Here is a summary of the things you need to remember for Pythagoras Theorem
Right-angled triangles These special triangles all have a right-angle (angle of size 90o) as one of the internal angles. The 90o angle is always opposite the longest side. The two shorter sides are always perpendicular to each other. Pythagoras Theorem for right-angled triangles The squares and right-angled triangles section showed that a relationship exists between the side lengths of right-angled triangles. This relationship is called Pythagoras Theorem. hypotenuse short side (short side)2 + (other short side)2 = (longest side)2
always the hypotenuse
c a a2 + b2 = c2
If the rule does not work, then it is not a right-angled triangle. Calculating the length of the hypotenuse Use Pythagoras Theorem to calculate the length of the hypotenuse if the two shorter sides of the right-angled triangle are already known. The order that we put the short side values into the formula does not matter. Calculating the length of a short side To calculate a short side length in a right-angled triangle, the formula needs a little adjusting. Subtract the given short side squared away from the hypotenuse squared. Pythagorean Triads A Pythagorean triad is a set of three positive numbers that work in Pythagoras Theorem. Making Pythagorean Triads Step 1: Choose two positive numbers p and q. When you pick these numbers, make p larger than q i.e. p > q Step 2: Substitute values for p and q into this to make a Pythagorean triad: " p2 - q2 , 2pq , p2 + q2 , Step 3: Write the values in ascending order.
a2 = c2 - b2
c2 = a2 + b2
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Jigsaw Puzzle
Pythagoras Theorem
Step 1: Cut the two shaded squares out from the page. Step 2: Cut the larger of these two along the dotted lines. Step 3: A rrange all the pieces to fit perfectly inside this square. tick the pieces to the page to show the area Step 4: S of the two smaller squares add together to give the area of this square on the hypotenuse.
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IDS RA
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IDS FORM CL
I A N G L ES AN G L E D T R
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E SOM *
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*A
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