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Take the WOOName: Section:
Date: Number:
Discovering the Pythagorean Theorem
You will now get the chance to discover one of the most important geometric equations yourselves! Using the ruler, measure each side of the triangle. Record your measurements under the appropriate sides. Then square each side. On the right hand side of the chart, record what relationship you see between the squared numbers.
**Round measurements to the nearest centimeter**Triangl
eLeg (cm)
Leg (cm)
Hypotenuse (cm)
What relationship do you see using the squared numbers?
1
Squared
2
Squared
3
Squared
4
Squared
5
Squared
The Pythagorean Theorem tells us something about the
relationship between the sides of a right triangle. Review your
chart. What patterns do you see between the squares of the
sides. Take a guess at what the Pythagorean Theorem tells us:
___________________________
Pythagorean Theorem: For right triangles where: a c
Take the WOOName: Section:
Date: Number:
bBut how do we actually use the Pythagorean Theorem?
For a triangle with a=9, b=12, and c unknown. To find c:
1. Substitute 9 for a and 12 for b in the Pythagorean Theorem: 9 c
( )2 + ( )2 = c2
2. Simplify: 12 81 + = c2
3. Take the square root of both sides:
√306= √ c2
4. You have now solved for c, the hypotenuse:
C=
For a triangle with a known, b unknown, and hypotenuse known:
1. Substitute the side measurements for the variables.
(16) 2 + b2 = (20) 2
2. Simplify: 12 20
(256) + b = b3. Isolate variable on one side:
(256) + b =400
b=
4. Take the square root of both sides:
√b = √144
b=
Take the WOOName: Section:
Date: Number:
Find the missing side length to complete the table. Round your answers to the nearest tenth.
Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
Right
Triangl
e
Length
of Leg
Length
of Leg
Length of
Hypotenu
se
1 9 12
2 16 20
3 15 25
4 18 30
5 9.3 8
6 4.7 12.5
7 5.1 23.2
Find the missing side length in the right triangles drawn below.
11. 12.
6.7 cm 5.2 cm
12.8 m
5.9 m