Pythagorean Triples

Before this, knowDerive and Use Pythagorean Theorem

Interactive · 2 questions

There is a precise algorithm that has been defined to generate Pythagorean triples. This is called Euclid's formula and consists of three equations, a=m2−n2a=m^2 - n^2, b=2mnb=2mn, and c=m2+n2c=m^2 + n^2. Any values can be plugged in for m and n to get a Pythagorean triple. For example: Plugging in 5 for m and 2 for n gives us the triple (20, 21, 29).

Which values of m and n generate the triple (5,12,13)?

Choose one answer

Preparing for a math contest?

Working through past problems on one idea at a time is one of the most effective ways to prepare. These are real problems from the AMC 8, AMC 12 and AIME, the national math competitions for middle and high school students, each with a worked solution on LIVE by Po-Shen Loh.

Read · 1 min

The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem states that if the square of one side of a triangle equals he sum of the squares of the other two sides, then the triangle is a right triangle.

Proof

Construct another right triangle DEFDEF with a right angle at DEFDEF and EF=BCEF=BC and FD=CAFD=CA. By the Pythagorean theorem on DEFDEF, we get DE2=FD2+FE2DE2=CA2+BC2\begin{align*} DE^2 &= FD^2+FE^2 \\ DE^2 &= CA^2+BC^2 \end{align*} But using the Pythagorean theorem on ABCABC yields AB2=CA2+BC2AB^2 = CA^2+BC^2 So AB=DEAB=DE. So now we have DE=ABDF=CABC=EF\begin{align*} DE &= AB \\ DF &= CA \\ BC &= EF \end{align*} By SSS congruency, ABC≡DEFABC \equiv DEF and thus ABCABC is a right triangle, so we are done.

Interactive · 1 question

আমরা জানি যে কোন ত্রিভুজের একটি কোণ সমকোণ হলে এর সন্নিহিত দুটি বাহুর বর্গের যোগফল অতিভুজের বর্গের সমান হয়। তবে এর বিপরীত তাও কি সঠিক?

তবে এর বিপরীত তাও কী সত্য?

Choose one answer

Type a concept, like “slope” or “photosynthesis”.

↑ ↓ to choose · Enter to openSearch explanations and problems