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LEARNING
MODULE
MATHEMATIC G9 Q4.3
S
PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
GENECOM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,
INC.
GENECOM LEARNING AND TUTORIAL CENTER
LIBON PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
MAY 2023
NAME:______________________________SECTION:_______
__
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INTRODUCTION
Module Introduction
Pythagoras Theorem is an important topic in Math, which explains the
relation between the sides of a right-angled triangle. It is also sometimes called
the Pythagorean Theorem.
In this lesson, you will know how to apply the theorems to solve some
of the problems in triangle similarity.
Module Lesson and Coverage
Lesson: PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
This module is designed for you to:
Applies the theorems to show that given triangles are similar.
Proves the Pythagorean Theorem.
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Pre-Test
Analyze the triangle and answer the questions that follow.
1. What are the corresponding
angles of the triangles given?
2. What are the corresponding sides of the triangles?
3. What can you say about the corresponding sides and angles of the
triangles?
4. What is the value of x? Show your solution.
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Content/Discussion
PYTHAGOREAN
THEOREM
More than 4, 000 years ago, the Babylonians and the Chinese already
knew that a triangle with an side
ratio of a 3, 4 and 5 must be a
right triangle. They used this
knowledge to construct right
triangles. By dividing a string
into twelve equal parts and then
laying it into a triangle so that
one side is three, the second side
is four and the last side is five
sections along, they could easily
construct a right angle.
A Greek scholar named
Pythagoras, who lived around
500 BC, was also fascinated by
triangles with these special side
ratios. He studied them a bit
closer and found that the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides exactly the
square of the longest side. Eventually this story came to be known as the
Pythagorean Theorem.
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The theorem of Pythagoras states that for a right-angled triangle with
squares constructed on each of its sides, the sum of the areas of the two smaller
squares is equal to the area of the largest square.
In the diagram, a, b and c are the side lengths of square A, B and C
respectively. Pythagoras’ theorem states that area A + area B = area C,
or a2 + b2 = c2.
There are many proofs of the theorem which you might wish to
investigate. Our focus will be to see how Pythagoras’ theorem can be applied
to shapes other than squares, including three-dimensional solids.
Proof of Pythagorean Theorem Formula using the
Algebraic Method
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The proof of the Pythagoras theorem can be derived using the algebraic
method. For example, let us use the values a, b, and c as shown in the
following figure and follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Arrange four congruent right triangles in the given square
PQRS, whose side is a + b. The four right triangles have 'b' as the
base, 'a' as the height and, 'c' as the hypotenuse.
Step 2: The 4 triangles form the inner square WXYZ as shown,
with 'c' as the four sides.
Step 3: The area of the square WXYZ by arranging the four
triangles is c2.
Step 4: The area of the square PQRS with side (a + b) = Area of 4
triangles + Area of the square WXYZ with side 'c'. This means (a +
b)2 = [4 × 1/2 × (a × b)] + c 2.This leads to a2 + b2 + 2ab = 2ab + c2.
Therefore, a2 + b2 = c2. Hence proved.
Pythagorean Theorem Formula Proof using Similar
Triangles
Two triangles are said to be similar if their corresponding angles are of equal
measure and their corresponding sides are in the same ratio. Also, if the angles
are of the same measure, then by using the sine law, we can say that the
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corresponding sides will also be in the same ratio. Hence, corresponding angles
in similar triangles lead us to equal ratios of side lengths.
Derivation of Pythagorean Theorem Formula
Consider a right-angled triangle ABC, right-angled at B. Draw a perpendicular
BD meeting AC at D.
In △ABD and △ACB,
∠A = ∠A (common)
∠ADB = ∠ABC (both are right angles)
Thus, △ABD ∼ △ACB (by AA similarity criterion)
Similarly, we can prove △BCD ∼ △ACB.
Thus △ABD ∼ △ACB, Therefore, AD/AB = AB/AC. We can say that AD ×
AC = AB2.
Similarly, △BCD ∼ △ACB. Therefore,CD/BC = BC/AC. We can also say that
CD × AC = BC2.
Adding these 2 equations, we get AB2 + BC2 = (AD × AC) + (CD × AC)
AB2 + BC2 =AC(AD +DC)
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AB2 + BC2 =AC2
Hence proved.
Pythagoras Theorem Triangles
Right triangles follow the rule of the Pythagoras theorem and they are called
Pythagoras theorem triangles. The three sides of such a triangle are collectively
called Pythagoras triples. All the Pythagoras theorem triangles follow the
Pythagoras theorem which says that the square of the hypotenuse is equal to
the sum of the two sides of the right-angled triangle. This can be expressed as
c2 = a2 + b2; where 'c' is the hypotenuse and 'a' and 'b' are the two legs of the
triangle.
Pythagoras Theorem Squares
As per the Pythagorean theorem, the area of the square which is built upon the
hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the area of the squares
built upon the other two sides. These squares are known as Pythagoras squares.
Example:
Find the length of the hypotenuse.
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Solution:
Let c=the length of the hypotenuse
Write the appropriate formula and substitute.
2 2 2
c =a + b
2 2 2
c =3 + 4
Post Test
Solve the problem and show your solution.
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Frederick leaves school to go home, He walks 6 blocks North and then 8
blocks West. How far is Frederick from the school?
Solution Box
GENERALIZATION
The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to
the sum of the squares of the two legs.
2 2 2
c =a + b
The converse of the Pythagorean Theorem can check if a triangle is acute, obtuse or a right
triangle.
If c2=a2+b2, it is a right triangle.
If c2<a2+b2, it is an acute triangle.
If c2>a2+b2, it is an obtuse triangle.
Reference
Bernal, Juvy S. and Lopez, Alexander G., Conceptual Math & Beyond 9,
Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc.
