Find the lengths using the Pythagorean theorem?

Question

http://i.imgur.com/yEJu6a1.jpg
This is the picture I took of my assignment

Thank you in advance

Answer 1

Hi Lars,

 

This assignment explores the Pythagorean theorem, a very deep and rich mathematical idea-- sooo deep, in fact, that the Pythagorean Theorem is on the Guiness Book of World Records as the most proven theorem!  (http://mathlair.allfunandgames.ca/pytheorem.php) .  Also, even one of the US Presidents (J.A. Garfield, in office in 1881) has once come up with his own proof of this theorem:  (http://www.curiouser.co.uk/facts/garfield_proof.htm).

 

So I urge you to get more assistance with this assignment than just what I offer you, as it's difficult to really explore concepts over the internet like this.  With that said:

 

The Pythagorean theorem states that when dealing with right triangles, with short lengths ("legs") a and b, and hypotenuse c, the hypotenuse can be found by:

 

c² = a² + b²

 

Take line segment f for an example.  Here, I'd say a = 5 and b = 1, so

 

c² = 5² + 1² 

 

c² = 26

 

c = √(26)  is how you'd submit the answer, with the radical there, unless you can simplify the radical, which you often can't.

 

Hope this helps!  But again, I urge you to get more personal assistance with this (or study more resources online) than just this resource board! :)