2. Below is the equation for the Pythagorean theorem
Below is the equation for the Pythagorean theorem. Over the next few pages, you will use this equation to answer some questions.
a2 + b2 = c2 c a b

3. Using the Pythagorean theorem, it is possible, knowing the length of sides a and b, to figure out the length of side c.
5 cm
6 cm c
Step 1:
a = 5
b = 6
c = x
Step 2:
a2 + b2 = c2
= x2
= x2
61 = x2

4. Using the Pythagorean theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) it is possible to work out the length of side c.
5 cm
6 cm
7.81 cm
Step 3
61 = x2
√61 = x
7.81 = x
x = c =7.81 cm

5. Find the length of the missing side in these examples1. 2.
___ cm
___ cm
2 cm
2 cm
6 cm
2 cm
Click here
for the
answer

6. 3. 4.
___ cm
3 cm
4 cm
___ cm
5 cm
1 cm 5. 6.
___ cm
1 cm
___ cm
2 cm
1 cm
6 cm
Click here
for the
answer

7. ___ cm 3. 4.
2 cm
7 cm
4 cm
5 cm
___ cm 5. 6.
6 cm
___ cm
2 cm
1 cm
1 cm
___ cm
Click here
for the
answer

8. 8 cm 7.
3 cm
___ cm 8.
4 cm
____ cm
5 cm
Click here
for the
answer

9. Click here
for the
answer 9.
5 cm
5 cm
___ cm
2 cm
10.
6 cm
4 cm
___ cm

10. The following pages are answers to the tasks in the lesson activity.

11. 1.
2 cm 2.
6 cm
2.83 cm
6.32 cm
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to go
back

12. 3.
4 cm
1 cm 4.
3 cm
5 cm
4.12 cm
5.83 cm 5. 6.
2 cm
6 cm
1.41 cm
6.32 cm
Click here
to go
back

13. 4.58 cm 3. 4.
2 cm
7 cm
4 cm
5 cm
5.74 cm 5. 6.
6 cm
1.12 cm
2 cm
1.5 cm
1 cm
5.66 cm
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to go
back

14. 7. 8.
3 cm
9.43 cm
8 cm
4 cm
5 cm
5.39 cm
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to go
back

15. Click here 9. to go back 5 cm 5 cm 7.07 cm 2 cm 10. 6 cm 4 cm 8.72 cm
Click here to see the solution to question 10.

16. Step 1
This line must equal 2 cm because the line above it equals 2cm and it is a square.
Step 2
You can then use Pythagoras theory to work out the length of this line.
22 + x2 = 42
x2 = = 12
x = 3.46
10.
2 cm
6 cm
4 cm
___ cm

17. This line must equal 8 cm (6cm plus 2 cm).
Step 3
This line must equal 8 cm (6cm plus 2 cm).
Step 4
Use Pythagoras theory to work out the length of the diagonal:
= x2
76 = x2
x = √76 = 8.71 cm
10.
2 cm
6 cm
4 cm
___ cm
3.46 cm