Geometry and trigonometry
Pythagorean theorem
In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides.
In one sentence
What does Pythagorean theorem mean?
In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides.
How it is written
a²+b²=c²
A compact example
Sides 3 and 4 produce hypotenuse 5 because 9+16=25.
Other names and search terms
Pythagoras theorem.
Where this fits
When should you learn Pythagorean theorem?
The first encounter is not the final level. Many ideas begin visually, become computational in high school and become formal in college.
- 1Pre-high schoolUsually introduced
- 2High schoolGreater depth
- 3CollegeGreater depth
- 4AdvancedGreater depth
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Arithmetic
- Measurement
- Vectors
- Waves
- Coordinate geometry
Angles, coordinates and trigonometric waves feed directly into vectors and wave mathematics.
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Questions about Pythagorean theorem
What does Pythagorean theorem mean in mathematics?
In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides.
How is Pythagorean theorem written?
A common notation is a²+b²=c².
What is an example of Pythagorean theorem?
Sides 3 and 4 produce hypotenuse 5 because 9+16=25.