Question 590177: Im in 8th grade and im in a bit of trouble because my math teacher he doesent teach so well so i changed teachers and she is alot better than him but i dont understand the pythagorean theorem is there anyone that could help?
Found 3 solutions by mathhelp@, josmiceli, Edwin McCravy:
Answer by mathhelp@(10)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! a^2+b^2=c^2
so how you use it is that c is the hypotenuse, also known as the longest side of a triangle.
check this website for a picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pythagorean.svg
The other two sides have to be shorter than the hypotenuse.
So, if you have a question similar to this:
c=2
b= 3
find a
The answer to this question is {impossible}
The reason why is because 9(3^2)+a^2=4 (2^2)
solving for a^2:
4-9=a^2
-5=a^2
sqrt(-5)=a^2
it is undefined!
However, if you have this question:
a=2
b=3
find c
a^2+b^2=c^2
(2^2)+(3^2)=c^2
The answer is: 4+9 = 13
13 = c^2
c = sqrt (13)
If you need a tutorial of powers, reply!
Answer by josmiceli(19441)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! (1)
The pythagorean Theorem is about Right triangles
and no other kind.
(2)
A right triangle is one that has a 90 degree angle
(3)
It helps to picture, or better yet, draw what the
Pythagorean Theorem says.
It says that the square ON the hypotenuse is equal
to the sum of the squares ON the other 2 legs
-------------------------------------
So, once you draw the squares on the 3 sides, the
theorem say that if you add up the areas of the
2 smaller squares, it equals the area of the
larger square.
---------------
There are some whole number squares, like the
3-4-5 right triangle
----------------
The theorem works in both directions:
If you've got a right triangle, the formula has to work
and if the formula works, you must have right triangle
Hope this helps
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056)  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Try these Youtube videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HYHG3fuzvk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FJlxRUdHg4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNl_yb8doRk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqjWL230Ep4&feature=related
Edwin
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