Pythagorean Theorem:

Question

1. Find the length of the sides of the smaller 2 squares in #3 and write them on the diagram in #3.

2. We can find the length of the sides of the biggest square in #3 by dividing it up into triangles as shown below in the diagram.
Draw this in the biggest square in #3 and find the area of the 4 triangles (b x h / 2) and the middle square (b x h).

3. Once you know the area of the biggest square, then you know the lengths of the sides because it is a square, so all sides are the same.


4. How are the areas of the smaller squares related to the area of the biggest square? Do you notice something?


5. If a = the side of one small square and b = the side of the other small square and c = the side of the biggest square, then how could you write an equation using a, b, and c with exponents?

This is the Pythagorean Theorem for all Right Triangles. ____________________



What did you learn about using the Pythagorean Theorem from this lesson?

Answer 1

I learned that the Pythagorean Theorem can be used to find the length of the sides of a right triangle when given the lengths of the other two sides. I also learned that the areas of the smaller squares are related to the area of the biggest square, and that the equation for the Pythagorean Theorem is a^2 + b^2 = c^2.