Pythagorean Theorem Practice

What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

• $a+b+c$

• $a+b=c$

• $a+b=c^2$

• $a^2+b^2=c^2$

For which type of triangle does Pythagorean Theorem work?

• All triangles

• left triangles

• right triangles

• depends on the situation

The two short sides of a right triangle are called _______

• arms

• legs

• hypotenuse

• there isn't a special name

The side opposite the right angle is called the __________

• hippopotomus

• hypotenuse

• leg

• the slanted one

To finish solving for c, what's the special character used to "get rid of" the c²?

• square

• square root

• what?

• There isn't one

Answer explanation

Remember, just like how addition and subtraction are opposites, square and square roots are opposite.

So if you need to solve a squared term, take the square root

Finish solving for c

• 25

• 5

• $\sqrt{5}$

• not enough info

Finish solving for x

• $\sqrt{313}$

• $\sqrt{25}=5$

• $\sqrt{5}$

• can't be solved

Answer explanation

Remember, when you solve for one of the legs, you need to SUBTRACT the two values you have.

If you're asked to "leave your answer in simplest radical form", what does that mean?

• Use your calculator to make a decimal

• create some random smattering of numbers

• leave your answer as a square root

• just skip those questions

Answer explanation

Remember, a radical is just the name for the square root symbol used in an equation

Find the missing side. Leave your answer in simplest radical form

a = 11, c = 15

• b = 12

• b = 10.19803902718557

• $b=\sqrt{104}$

• $b=\sqrt{346}$

Answer explanation

Since you are given a and c, your equation becomes $11^{2\ }+b^{2\ }=15^2$ , so in order to solve for b, you need to have $b^{2\ }=15^{2\ }-\ 11^{2\ }$ . And then solve for b

Find the missing side length.

a = 13, c = 15

• b = 7.4

• 
  

  $b=\sqrt{56}$
  

• b = 394

• $b=\sqrt{394}$