What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

• A. a2 + c2 = b2
• B. b2 + c2 = a2
• C. a2 + b2 = c2
• D. a2 - b2 = c2

Answer: (C)

In a right triangle, the longest side across from the right angle is the hypotenuse, and its length relates to the other two sides by: the sum of the squares of the legs equals the square of the hypotenuse. If we call the legs a and b and the hypotenuse c, then a^2 + b^2 = c^2. This matches the standard labeling and works for any right triangle. For example, with legs 3 and 4, the hypotenuse is 5 because 3^2 + 4^2 = 9 + 16 = 25 = 5^2. The other forms don’t reflect which side is the hypotenuse and don’t hold true for a right triangle.

In a right triangle, the longest side across from the right angle is the hypotenuse, and its length relates to the other two sides by: the sum of the squares of the legs equals the square of the hypotenuse. If we call the legs a and b and the hypotenuse c, then a^2 + b^2 = c^2. This matches the standard labeling and works for any right triangle. For example, with legs 3 and 4, the hypotenuse is 5 because 3^2 + 4^2 = 9 + 16 = 25 = 5^2. The other forms don’t reflect which side is the hypotenuse and don’t hold true for a right triangle.