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| Question 423137:  How would I use the Pythagorean theorem to determine if given measures could be sides of a right triangle? (eg. 12,34,37)
 Found 2 solutions by  stanbon, jim_thompson5910:
 Answer by stanbon(75887)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!  How would I use the Pythagorean theorem to determine if given measures could be sides of a right triangle? (eg. 12,34,37) ----
 The hypotenuse would have to be the longest side.
 Pythagoras:
 hypotenuse^2 = leg1^2 + leg2^2
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 Check:
 37^2 = 12^2 + 34^2
 1369 = 144 + 1156
 1369 = 1300
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 False; so the measures could not be the sides
 of a right triangle.
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 Cheers,
 Stan H.
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Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Given lengths a, b, and c, they will form a right triangle only if  . So to determine if those lengths form a right triangle, simply verify that  
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