Pythagorean Theorem

MCC8.G.6-8: Apply the Pythagorean Theorem

to determine unknown side lengths in right
triangles in real-world and mathematical
problems in two and three dimensions.
 No need
For notes
Essential ?? On this slide

• How can we use the

Pythagorean Theorem to
solve for a missing length
of a right triangle.
 Warm - Up
Solve for x
• x2+7=43
• 64+x2=164
Evaluate for a = 12, b = 5, c = 13
3. a2 + b2
4. c2 – b2
Here we have a triangle with
the lengths of each of the
three sides

5
4

3
 Let’s take the lengths
of each side and make
a square for each of
them

5
4

3
 5
Let’s find the area of 4
10
each square? 3
9 15
2 8
1 14 20
1 2 3 4 7 13
6 19 25
12 18
5 6 7 8 24
11 17 23
9 10 11 12 16 22
13 14 15 16 21

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9
Now, let’s add the two
smaller areas
together.

25
16

+ 9
 Notice how the sum of
the two smaller squares
equals the larger
square?
25
It turns out

9+16 = ?
this is true
for every
right triangle
The Pythagorean Theorem states: “The
sum of the squares of the legs of a right
triangle are equal to the square of the
hypotenuse.”

9+16 = 25
 No need
For notes
Pythagorean Theorem On this slide

• What is the Pythagorean Theorem in

symbol form?

a +b =c
2 2 2
• Which of these variables represent the
hypotenuse?
c
• Once you have figured out which is c,
does it matter which leg is a and which
is b?
no
 TAKE
Steps to Solve for a missing side NOTES
of a right triangle using the
Pythagorean Theorem
The following are the basic steps for solving a
Pythagorean Theorem Problem.

Step 1: Write the formula

Step 2: Substitute known values for the
variables.
Step 3: Solve for the missing variable.

Lets break this down a little further…

 No need
Finding the missing side of a For notes
On this slide
right triangle
• Any time you are asked to find the missing
side of a right triangle, the problem will
generally boil down to 1 of 2 scenarios.
• Scenario 1: You have both legs and you have
to find the hypotenuse
• Scenario 2: You have one leg and the
hypotenuse, and you have to find the other
leg.
 Scenario 1: Need the hypotenuse TAKE
Find x x NOTES
8 ft

• Step 1: Write the formula. 15 ft

a2 + b2 = c2
• Step 2: Substitute or “Plug-in” the lengths of the legs into the Pythagorean
Theorem for the “a” and “b” variables.
82 + 152 = c2
• Step 3: Simplify the side without the “c” by squaring the two numbers and adding them
together. 2 We are not done yet…
64 + 225 = c We have found c2, but not
289 = c2 just plain c.
• Step 4: Solve for c by using the square root.

We were told to solve for x,

289 = c2 not c, so we should replace the
17 = c c with an x. x = 17
 No need

Scenario 1 For notes

On this slide

What does all of this boil down to?

• Square both legs.
• Add them together.
• Take the square root of the result.
• You have your hypotenuse.
 TAKE
You try this one in your notes. NOTES

x
Find x 5 ft

12 ft
52 + 122 = x2
25 + 144 = x2
169 = x2
• Answer: x = 13
 Scenario 2: Have TAKE
NOTES
Hypotenuse, need one leg
Find x.
14 in x
Round to the nearest
hundredth.
6 in
• Can we do this the same way we did
the other example?
• Not exactly the same way, but similar.
• Let’s start this one the same way we did
the other ones and see what happens…
Scenario 2: Have Hypotenuse, need one leg
Find x.
Round to the nearest 14 in x
hundredth.
• Step 1: Write the formula. a +b =c
2 2 2

• Step 2: Substitute or “Plug-in” the lengths of the legs …

But we don’t have both legs…
6 in
• Here is where we have to do something a little different. We have to plug
in the hypotenuse and one of the legs.
Which number goes where?
You need to identify the hypotenuse. It’s the one opposite of
the right angle.
The hypotenuse is always going to be c. So, the c = 14.
We need one more variable replaced in order to solve for the
missing variable. So, we need to replace either a or b with
the one leg length we have, which is 6.
Does it matter whether we use a = 6 or b = 6? No.
Let’s set b = 6 and make a the missing length
Scenario 2: Have Hypotenuse, need one leg
Find x.
Round to the nearest 14 in x
hundredth.
• Step 1: Write the formula. a2 + b2 = c2
• Step 2: Identify the hypotenuse
6 in
• Step 3: Substitute or “Plug-in” the hypotenuse (14) for c and the other
known measurement (6) for b.
a2 + 62 = 142
• Step 4: Simplify by squaring both the numbers.
a2 + 36 = 196
At this point, in the previous example, we added the two squares
together. This time, the squares are on opposite sides of the equals
sign. So, to combine them, we have to do the opposite operation.
• Step 5: Subtract the smaller a2 + 36 = 196
from the larger. – 36 – 36
a2 = 160
Scenario 2: Have Hypotenuse, need one leg
Find x.
Round to the nearest 14 in x
hundredth.
• Step 1: Write the formula. a2 + b2 = c2
• Step 2: Identify the hypotenuse
6 in
• Step 3: Substitute or “Plug-in” the hypotenuse (14) for c and the other
known measurement (6) for b.
a2 + 62 = 142
• Step 4: Simplify by squaring both the numbers.
a2 + 36 = 196
• Step 5: Subtract the smaller from the larger.
a2 + 36 = 196
• Step 6: Solve for a by using the
– 36 – 36
square root. a2 = 160
a2 = 160
a = 12.65
a = 12.64911
 No need

Scenario 2 For notes

On this slide

What does all of this boil down to?

• Square the hypotenuse and leg.
• Subtract the leg squared from the
hypotenuse squared.
• Take the square root of the result.
• You have your missing leg.
What is the difference between For
No need
notes
the 2 scenarios? On this slide

• Both have you squaring the given sides.

• Both have you using the square root at the
end.
• The only difference is in the middle.
• Scenario 1 has you adding the numbers
• Scenario 2 has you subtracting the smaller
from the larger.
 What does this mean?
• When you have two sides of a right triangle,
you can find the third using the Pythagorean
Theorem.
• You can do this by squaring both of the
measurements you have.
• Add or subtract the two numbers depending
on whether or not you have the hypotenuse.
(Subtract if you have it, add if you don’t)
• Find the square root of the result and you
have your missing side!
 Try this one in your notes…

x
15

20
Solve for x.
Round your answer to the nearest hundredth if necessary.

Answer: 25
 Try this one in your notes…
12 7

Solve for x.
Round your answer to the nearest hundredth if necessary.

Answer: 13.89
 Try this one in your notes…

5
x

3
Solve for x.
Round your answer to the nearest hundredth if necessary.

Answer: 4
 Try this one in your notes…

30
7

x
Solve for x.
Round your answer to the nearest hundredth if necessary.

Answer: 29.17