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Pythagorean Triple Formulas

This document discusses Pythagorean triples, which are sets of three positive integers that satisfy the Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) and form the sides of a right triangle. It provides formulas to generate Pythagorean triples using either an even or odd number for the shortest side (a). For even numbers, side b is calculated as a2/2 - 1 and side c as b + 2. For odd numbers, side b is calculated as (a2 - 1)/2 and side c as b + 1. Examples are given using both formulas to generate the Pythagorean triple of 3, 4, 5.

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charoles
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463 views2 pages

Pythagorean Triple Formulas

This document discusses Pythagorean triples, which are sets of three positive integers that satisfy the Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) and form the sides of a right triangle. It provides formulas to generate Pythagorean triples using either an even or odd number for the shortest side (a). For even numbers, side b is calculated as a2/2 - 1 and side c as b + 2. For odd numbers, side b is calculated as (a2 - 1)/2 and side c as b + 1. Examples are given using both formulas to generate the Pythagorean triple of 3, 4, 5.

Uploaded by

charoles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name : Date :

Pythagorean Triples
If three positive integers (a, b, and c) that represent the length
of each side of a right triangle, satisfy the equation
a2 + b2 = c2, it is called a Pythagorean triple.

Pythagorean triple formula for every odd number.

* side a is an odd number.


c (a2 – 1)
b * side b = (even number)
2

* side c = (b + 1) (odd number)

Pythagorean triple formula for every even number.


a
* side a is an even number.
In a Pythagorean triple, two sides will a 2
always be represented by odd numbers side b = – 1 (odd number)
* 2
and one side will be an even number.
* side c = (b + 2) (odd number)

Printable Math Worksheets & Charts @ www.mathworksheets4kids.com


Name : Date :

Pythagorean Triples

Example with an even number Example with an odd number

c c a
a

b
b
If a = 4, (even number) If a = 3, (odd number)

a 2 (a2 – 1) 9–1
b= – 1 = 3 (odd number) b= = = 4 (even number)
2 2 2

c = (b + 2) = 3 + 2 = 5 (odd number) c = (b + 1) = 4 + 1 = 5 (odd number)

Hence 3, 4, and 5 is a “Pythagorean Triple”. Hence 3, 4, and 5 is a “Pythagorean Triple”.

Printable Math Worksheets & Charts @ www.mathworksheets4kids.com

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