The Use of the Pythagorean Theorem Read Text

          Have you ever tried to find the perimeter of a right triangle? Let's say that you were given the lengths of the
two sides adjacent to the right angle were both 4. A common misconception is that the third side is also 4.
Incorrect, the third side is actually the square root of 42 + 42. We will learn why in the Formula and Proofs sections.

The Hypotenuse and Legs Read Text

          The legs are the sides adjacent to the right angle. The Horizontal leg goes left to right, and the Vertical leg goes
up to down. The last side, always the longest is the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse is the side opposite of the right angle.

Properties of Right Triangles Read Text

Properties of right triangles include:
  • The sum of the measures of the non-right angles must equal 90o.
  • At least one of the angles must be equal to 90o.
  • Must follow the Pythagorean Theorem.



Help Introduction Formula Proofs Pythagoras Practice Works Cited The Secret of the Right Triangle