Understanding the Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean theorem describes a special relationship in every right-angled triangle:
a² + b² = c²
Here, a and b are the lengths of the legs of the triangle, and c is the length of the hypotenuse.
This theorem is used extensively in various fields, including architecture, astronomy, and computer science!
Example Problem
Imagine a right-angled triangle where one leg is 3 units long and the other is 4 units. Calculate the hypotenuse.
Using the Pythagorean theorem: 3² + 4² = 9 + 16 = 25, thus c = √25 = 5 units.