Geometry · Similarity & Right Triangles
Pythagorean Theorem
HSG-SRT.C.8
Definition
In a right triangle, a squared plus b squared equals c squared, where c is the hypotenuse.
Examples
- 3 squared + 4 squared = 9 + 16 = 25 = 5 squared, so c = 5.
- 6 squared + 8 squared = 36 + 64 = 100 = 10 squared, so c = 10.
Key rule
The Pythagorean theorem only works for right triangles, and c is always the hypotenuse.
Memory hook
a squared plus b squared equals c squared, right triangles only.