Pythagorean Theorem
One of the most famous mathematicians who has ever lived, Pythagoras, a Greek scholar who
lived way back in the 6th century B.C. came up with one of the most famous theorems ever, the
Pythagorean Theorem.
The theorem states - in a right triangle, the square of the measure of the hypotenuse equals the
sum of the squares of the measures of the two legs. This theorem is normally represented by the
following equation: a2 + b2 = c2, where c represents the hypotenuse.
With this theorem, if you are given the measures of two sides of a triangle, you can easily find the
measure of the other side.
Example:
1. Problem: Find the value of c.
Solution: a2 + b2 = c2
Write the Pythagorean Theorem and then plug in
any given information.
12 2  5 2  c 2 The information that was given in the figure
was plugged in.
144  25  c 2
169  c 2
Solve for c
169  c 2
13  c
The Academic Support Center at Daytona State College (Math 59 pg 1 of 1)