The Pythagorean Theorem and Its Converse

The Pythagorean Theorem and Its Converse

by Deb Scott

Objective: Use the Pythagorean Theorem and Its Converse.

Using the Pythagorean Theorem

In the Pythagorean Theorem, "c" ALWAYS stands for the HYPOTENUSE of the right triangle- the side across from the right angle.

"a" and "b" stand for the other two sides- the LEGS of the right triangle.

Multiple Choice

Is the missing side of the right triangle a leg or the hypotenuse?

• hypotenuse

• leg

• I don't know

Multiple Choice

Is the missing side of the right triangle a leg or the hypotenuse?

• hypotenuse

• leg

• I don't know

Multiple Choice

Is the missing side of the right triangle a leg or the hypotenuse?

• hypotenuse

• leg

• I don't know

How to Use the Pythagorean Theorem

* Is the missing side the hypotenuse or one of the legs of the right triangle?

* Plug your values into the equation.

* DON'T FORGET TO TAKE THE SQUARE ROOT AS THE LAST STEP IN SOLVING THE EQUATION!

* Round your answer to the nearest tenth (one decimal place) or leave in simplest radical form(depending on directions)

Multiple Choice

Find the length of the missing side.

• 15.3

• 10.2

• 21

• 4.6

Multiple Choice

Find the length of the missing side.

• 11.4

• 5.7

• 4.1

• 112

Multiple Choice

Find the length of the missing side.

• 35.7

• 36

• 23

• 23.8

Multiple Choice

A 31-foot support wire is attached from the top of a 25-foot tall telephone pole to a point on the ground. How far from the base of the pole does the wire meet the ground?

• 7.5 feet

• 39.8 feet

• 17.5 feet

• 18.3 feet

Multiple Choice

Jack is using a 14.5 foot ramp to load cargo into the back of a truck. The horizontal distance from where the ramp meets the ground to the truck is 14.2 feet. How far off the ground is the back of the truck?

• 20.3 feet

• 2.9 feet

• 7.6 feet

• 3.2 feet

Pythagorean Theorem Converse

Multiple Choice

Classify the triangle as acute, right, or obtuse.

18, 24, 30

• acute

• right

• obtuse

Multiple Choice

Classify the triangle as acute, right, or obtuse.

31, 35, 39

• acute

• right

• obtuse

Multiple Choice

Classify the triangle as acute, right, or obtuse.

15, 16, 21

• acute

• right

• obtuse

• not a triangle