The Pythagorean theorem specifically relates to right triangles and is summarized accurately as follows:
The sum of the squares of the two legs is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
In mathematical terms, for a right triangle with legs of lengths \(a\) and \(b\), and the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) of length \(c\), the theorem can be expressed as:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2. \]
To clarify the other statements you provided:
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The sum of the two legs has to be greater than the third side - This statement is a part of the triangle inequality theorem but is not specifically the Pythagorean theorem.
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Add two of the sides together to equal the third side - This is incorrect because no combination of two sides in a right triangle will equal the length of the third side.
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The sum of the two legs is equal to the hypotenuse - This is also incorrect; the sum of the lengths of the legs does not equal the hypotenuse.
So, the accurate explanation of the Pythagorean theorem is specifically the statement regarding the squares of the sides.