Pythagorean Theorem Word Problems

If the two legs of a right triangle measure 8 inches and 12 inches, what is the length of the hypotenuse? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

You need a ladder that will reach up a 25 foot tall house when placed 10 feet away from the house. How tall does the ladder need to be? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

Jane and Miguel are siblings. They go to different schools. Jane walks 6 blocks east from home. Miguel walks 8 blocks north. How many blocks apart would the two schools be if you could walk straight from one school to the other? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

A piece of paper that Brittany has is 11 inches tall and 8 inches wide. She draws a straight line diagonally across the paper. How long is the line she drew? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

John leaves school to go home. He walks 6 blocks North and then 8 blocks west. How far is John from the school? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 12 feet and one of its legs is 3 feet. What is the length of the other leg? Which equation could be used to solve the problem?

The slide at the playground has a height of 6 feet. The base of the slide measured on the ground is 8 feet. What is the length of the slide?

• 8 feet

• 5.29 feet

• 10 feet

• 14 feet

The bottom of a 13-foot straight ladder is set into the ground 5 feet away from a wall. When the top of the ladder is leaned against the wall, what is the distance above the ground it will reach?

• 12 feet

• 13.9 feet

• 169 feet

• 18 feet

A baseball "diamond" is actually a square with sides of 90 feet. If a runner tries to steal second base, how far must the catcher, at home plate, throw to get the runner "out"? (Distance across the diagonal)

• 180 feet

• 90 feet

• 13.4 feet

• 127.3 feet

Lightning struck a tree, causing it to break and crash to theground. The tree broke off 12 feet above the ground and thebroken part was 20 feet long. If the broken tree formed a right triangle, how far away is the tip of the fallen tree?