Pythagorean Theorem

Definition

The Pythagorean Theorem is a fundamental mathematical principle that describes the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. It states that the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Pythagorean Theorem is used to calculate the length of the unknown side of a right triangle, given the lengths of the other two sides.
2. The Pythagorean Theorem is fundamental to solving quadratic equations using the square root property, as it allows for the calculation of the unknown side lengths.
3. The Pythagorean Theorem is used in the distance formula to calculate the distance between two points in a coordinate plane, which is a key concept in the study of circles.
4. The Pythagorean Theorem is also used in the solution of systems of nonlinear equations, as it provides a way to relate the variables in the equations.
5. The Pythagorean Theorem has numerous applications in various fields, including engineering, physics, and computer science, making it a crucial mathematical concept.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Pythagorean Theorem can be used to solve quadratic equations using the square root property.
  • The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. This relationship can be used to solve quadratic equations using the square root property. By rearranging the Pythagorean Theorem equation, $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, where $a$ and $b$ are the lengths of the shorter sides and $c$ is the length of the hypotenuse, one can isolate the unknown side length and then take the square root to find the solution.
• Describe how the Pythagorean Theorem is used in the distance formula and its connection to the study of circles.
  • The Pythagorean Theorem is a fundamental component of the distance formula, which is used to calculate the distance between two points in a coordinate plane. The distance formula, $d = \\sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}$, is derived directly from the Pythagorean Theorem, where the distance between the two points is the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the coordinates. This connection between the Pythagorean Theorem and the distance formula is crucial in the study of circles, as the radius of a circle is defined as the distance from the center to the circumference.
• Analyze how the Pythagorean Theorem can be utilized in the solution of systems of nonlinear equations.
  • The Pythagorean Theorem can be employed in the solution of systems of nonlinear equations, particularly those involving circles or other geometric shapes. By expressing the relationships between the variables in the system of equations using the Pythagorean Theorem, one can create a system of equations that can be solved simultaneously. For example, in a system of equations involving the equations of two circles, the Pythagorean Theorem can be used to relate the coordinates of the centers and the radii of the circles, allowing for the determination of the points of intersection between the circles, which is a key step in solving such a system of nonlinear equations.

Related terms

Right Triangle: A triangle with one 90-degree angle, where the side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse.

Hypotenuse: The side of a right triangle that is opposite the right angle, and is the longest side of the triangle.

Pythagorean Identity: The mathematical equation that expresses the Pythagorean Theorem, where $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, where $a$ and $b$ are the lengths of the two shorter sides, and $c$ is the length of the hypotenuse.