180k views
22 votes
Write a pythogorean triplet whose smallest number is 16​

1 Answer

7 votes

Answer:

(16, 63, 65)

Explanation:

A Pythagorean Triple is a set of positive integers, a, b and c that fits the rule: a² + b² = c²

Use the formula for generating triples (a, b, c):

(2m, m² - 1, m² + 1) where 2m is the smallest number

Let

  • a = 2m
  • b = m² - 1
  • c = m² + 1

Given a = 16 ⇒ m = 8

⇒ b = 8² - 1 = 63

⇒ c = 8² + 1 = 65

So the pythogorean triple whose smallest number is 16 is (16, 63, 65)

User Rickdmer
by
4.0k points