How do you do the pythagorean theorem? - Answers

To use the Pythagorean theorem (which is "a squared + b squared = c squared") you must take the two legs (smaller sides) in a right triangle (a and b), square each, and add them to each other (a squared + b squared). Then, you take the sum (which is c squared) and find the square root, then you are left with the hypotenuse - your answer. This works in reverse to find the legs as well. a(2) and b(2) will be either side of a right angle of a triangle. C(2) is the long diagonal slope that joins the end of a(2) and c(2) to make a triangle. for example: If a(2) is 4cm long and b(2) is 5cm long this will be the equation to solve the length of c(2) a(2) + b(2) = c(2) 4(2) + 5(2) = c(2) 16 + 25 = c(2) 41 = c(2) You get 41 by adding 16 & 25 and then you find the square root of 41 which is 6.40312 So the length of c is 6.40312 cm