Pythagorean Theorem: Word Problems

Pythagorean Theorem: Word Problems

I can find the length of a missing leg or hypotenuse from a word problem.

How to solve a Pythagorean Theorem Word Problem.

From her house, Jen could drive due north to get to her parents' house or she could drive due east to get to her grandparents' house. It is 16 kilometers from Jen's house to her parents' house and a straight-line distance of 20 kilometers from her parents' house to her grandparents' house. How far is Jen from her grandparents' house?

​Determine the important information

​

From her house, Jen could drive due north to get to her parents' house or she could drive due east to get to her grandparents' house. It is 16 kilometers from Jen's house to her parents' house and a straight-line distance of 20 kilometers from her parents' house to her grandparents' house. How far is Jen from her grandparents' house?

​

​

Multiple Choice

Which model represents our word problem?

(Provided compass will assist with direction)

Multiple Choice

What distance would be considered our hypotenuse?

• Jen's house to grandparents' house

• Jen's house to parent's house

• grandparents' house to parent's house

Multiple Choice

How far is Jen from her grandparent's house?

• 25.6 kilometers

• 12 kilometers

• 32 kilometers

• 10 kilometers

Pythagorean Word Problem steps:

(Add to notes)

​1. Read the problem.

​2. Identify the important information.

​3. Create and label your model.

​4. Determine if you are solving for the hypotenuse length or leg length.

​5. Use the corresponding procedure to solve for either hypotenuse or leg length

​Try on your own!

​

Multiple Choice

You need a ladder that will reach the top of a 25 foot house when placed 10 feet away from the house.  How tall does the ladder need to be?

• 25 feet

• 28 feet

• 26 feet

• 27 feet

Multiple Choice

The size of a television screen is measured by the length of the diagonal of the screen.  What size is a television screen that is 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide?

• 18 feet

• 6.7 feet

• 9 feet

• 7.6 feet

Multiple Choice

Tally often visits the library and her local coffee shop.  From Tally's house, the library is North and the coffee shop is West.  The library is 2.5 miles from Tally's house and the coffee shop is 7 miles from the library.  How far is Tally's house from the coffee shop?

• 5 miles

• 5.9 miles

• 7.2 miles

• 6.5 miles