Post 27, May 2, 2011.

• Google the Internet to find an explanation of the Pythagorean theorem. Using that explanation, explain it to me in your own words and be sure to have an example.

The Pythagorean Theorem states that in all right triangles, the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the length of the other two legs of the triangle. The formula is: a^2+b^2=c^2. This theorem was originated by a Greek mathematician called Pythagoras. Pythagoras of Samos (c.580 B.C.-c.500 B.C.) was a Greek philosopher that proved the theory that the Babylonians had developed 1000 years earlier. Apart from mathematics, he also made great developments in astronomy and the theory of music. There is a legend that says that Pythagoras wanted to see the tyrant ruler of Samos, Polycrates, and in the halls of his palace he kept staring at the squared tiles on the floor. He noticed that if a tile were to have a diagonal line across it, it would divide the square in half and make two right triangles. He began to discover other things about it. The square on the hypotenuse, the longest side of the triangle, was the size of the sum of the other two squares that are on the other sides of the triangles.

For example, if the lengths of the sides are 3, 4, and 5, what is the formula?

The formula would be: 3^2+4^2=5^2

So 3^2 is 9, 4^2 is 16 and 5^2 is 25... 9+16=25.