How to Find the Hypotenuse of a Right Triangle Using the Pythagorean Theorem

Learn how to find the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle step-by-step using the Pythagorean theorem with simple examples.

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To find the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle, use the Pythagorean theorem: _a² + b² = c²_, where 'c' is the hypotenuse and 'a' and 'b' are the triangle's other two sides. Simply square both 'a' and 'b', add the results, and then take the square root of that sum. For example, if 'a' is 3 and 'b' is 4, the hypotenuse will be √(3² + 4²) = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the Pythagorean theorem? The Pythagorean theorem is a formula used to calculate the length of the sides of a right triangle. It states that the square of the hypotenuse (c) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides (a and b): a² + b² = c².
  2. How do you calculate the hypotenuse if you know the other two sides? To calculate the hypotenuse, square the lengths of the other two sides, add those values together, and then take the square root of that sum.
  3. Can the Pythagorean theorem be used for non-right triangles? No, the Pythagorean theorem only applies to right-angled triangles.

Watch More

For further understanding of triangle properties and related math concepts, explore our tutorials on calculating triangle area, the properties of different triangles, and trigonometric ratios.

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