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Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using similar triangles. The Pythagorean Theorem states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs of the triangle equals the squared length of the hypotenuse. Be sure to create and name the appropriate geometric figures.

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Please Help its past due! Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using similar triangles. The-example-1
Please Help its past due! Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using similar triangles. The-example-2
User Cosmin Sontu
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7.2k points
3 votes

Draw or Cut two similar squares with sides
b+c units long.


Draw or cut four pairs of similar right triangles with side lengths as indicated in the diagram.

Now arrange the similar triangles at the corners of the squares such that the sides
b of one similar triangle plus the side
c of a second similar triangle coincides with the length of the square.


We do another arrangement of the similar triangles. This time arrange another 4 similar triangles in the opposite corners, such that each pair forms a square.

Now comparing the two different arrangements we got two different areas that are equal.

The area of the uncovered squares in the first arrangement is
a^2

The area of the two uncovered squares in the second arrangement is
b^2+c^2

Equating the two areas gives the Pythagoras Theorem


a^2=b^2+c^2

Note that
a is the hypotenuse,
b and
c are two shorter sides of the similar right triangles.




Please Help its past due! Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using similar triangles. The-example-1
User Igor Vishnevskiy
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7.1k points