Pythagorean Theorem

The Pythagorean Theorem

For a right triangle with legs a and b, and hypotenuse c:

a² + b² = c²

Key Points

1. The hypotenuse is always the longest side (opposite the right angle)
2. The theorem only works for right triangles
3. Common Pythagorean triples to memorize:
   • 3, 4, 5
   • 5, 12, 13
   • 8, 15, 17
   • 7, 24, 25

Applications

• Finding distances on coordinate planes
• Real-world measurement problems
• Working with 3D shapes