# Thread: The pythagorean theory

1. ## The pythagorean theory

I'm unsure on how to do this find the unknown side to one decimal:

I'm also unsure on how to determine whether these sides of a triangle makes it a right angle:

22 in., 24 in., and 32 in.

Can someone help me in laymen terms? lol

2. Originally Posted by ladyk
I'm unsure on how to do this find the unknown side to one decimal:

I'm also unsure on how to determine whether these sides of a triangle makes it a right angle:

22 in., 24 in., and 32 in.

Can someone help me in laymen terms? lol
$a^2+b^2=c^2$
$12^2+10^2=c^2$
$144+100=c^2$
$244=c^2$
$\sqrt244=c$
$15.6=c$

Note: Pythagorean Theorem

3. I understand everything except for the 15.6 part. Why would it be that? I know I need to know that in order to figure out the answer to the second aprt of my question.

4. Originally Posted by ladyk
I understand everything except for the 15.6 part. Why would it be that? I know I need to know that in order to figure out the answer to the second aprt of my question.
In order to get rid of the $^2$ on $c^2$
we must take the square root on the other side

hence getting rid of $^2$ on $c^2$

take the square root $\sqrt{244} = 15.6$

Do you understand better now?

Take a look at this(specifically example 1) http://regentsprep.org/regents/Math/fpyth/Pythag.htm

They have arranged it difference but it is the same.

5. Originally Posted by ladyk
I'm unsure on how to do this find the unknown side to one decimal:

I'm also unsure on how to determine whether these sides of a triangle makes it a right angle:

22 in., 24 in., and 32 in.

Can someone help me in laymen terms? lol
To find if it is a right triangle, the hypotenuse has to be the longest side.

$c^2 = a^2 + b^2$

$32^2?22^2+24^2$

$1024?484+576$

$1024$ does not $= 1060$

Therefore, it is not a right triangle.

6. Originally Posted by euclid2
In order to get rid of the $^2$ on $c^2$
we must take the square root on the other side

hence getting rid of $^2$ on $c^2$

take the square root $\sqrt{244} = 15.6$

Do you understand better now?

Take a look at this(specifically example 1) Pythagorean Theorem

They have arranged it difference but it is the same.
I completely understand. I went to this site to get a better understanding:

http://www.nutshellmath.com/textbook...triangles.html