Measurement and geometry

1
Pythagoras’
theorem
Pythagoras’ theorem was known to a number of ancient civilisations,
including the Egyptians who used the rule to construct their pyramids as
far back as 3000 BCE, but Pythagoras was the first person to write it in a
mathematical way. Pythagoras’ theorem expresses the relationship
between the sides of a right-angled triangle. It is still used today in
architecture, engineering, surveying and many other fields.
 N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
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n Chapter outline n Wordbank

Proficiency strands converse A rule or statement turned back-to-front; the
1-01 Square roots and surds U reverse statement
1-02 Discovering hypotenuse The longest side of a right-angled triangle; the
Pythagoras’ theorem U F R C side opposite the right angle
1-03 Finding the hypotenuse U F
1-04 Finding a shorter side U F Pythagoras An ancient Greek mathematician who
1-05 Mixed problems F discovered an important formula about the sides of a
1-06 Testing for right-angled R right-angled triangle
triangles U F surd A square root (or other type of root) whose exact
1-07 Pythagorean triads U F decimal value cannot be found
1-08 Pythagoras’ theorem
theorem A formal rule or a formula
problems F PS
triad A group of three related objects
This is a Year 9 topic in the Australian Curriculum but
a Stage 4 (Years 7–8) topic in the NSW syllabus.

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 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

n In this chapter you will:

• investigate the concept of irrational numbers
• establish the relationship between the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle in practical
ways, including using digital technologies.
• investigate Pythagoras’ theorem and its application to solving simple problems involving right-
angled triangles
• solve practical problems involving Pythagoras’ theorem, approximating the answer as a decimal
or giving an exact answer as a surd
• use the converse of Pythagoras’ theorem to establish whether a triangle has a right angle
• identify a Pythagorean triad as a set of three numbers such that the sum of the squares of the
first two equals the square of the third

SkillCheck
Worksheet 1 Evaluate each expression.
StartUp assignment 1 a 42 b 122 c 302 d 2.12
MAT08MGWK10001
e 10.32 f 32 þ 42 g 52 þ 122 h 5.42  3.22
2 Evaluate each square root.
pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a p16ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi b p64ffiffiffiffiffi c p100
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi d p196
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
e 121 f 49 g 1:21 h 2:25
3 Find the perimeter of each shape.
a 4 cm b c
27 mm
cm
9

cm
12

7 cm
11 mm
4 Find the area of each shape.
a 10 cm b c
10 mm
4 cm

20 mm
4 cm
5 Write each number correct to one decimal place.
a 10.33 b 4.67 c 7.654 d 0.8888
6 Evaluate each expression correct to one decimal place.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a 32 þ 72 b 5:62 þ 9:22 c 152  82

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1-01 Square roots and surds

pffi Worksheet
The square root ð Þ of a number is the positive value which, if squared, will give that number. Table of squares and
For example: square roots
pffiffiffiffiffi
• p25ffiffiffiffiffi ¼ 5 because 52 ¼ 25 ‘the square root of 25’ MAT08MGWK10002

• 49 ¼ 7 because 72 ¼ 49 ‘the square root of 49’ Worksheet

Most
pffiffiffiffiffi square roots do not give exact answers like the ones above. For example, pffi Surds

10 ¼ 3:16227766
p ffi . . .  3.2. Such square roots are called surds. A surd is a square root ð Þ, MAT08MGWK10003
3
cube root ð Þ, or any other type of root whose exact decimal or fraction value cannot be found.
As a decimal, its digits run endlessly without repeating, so they are neither terminating nor
recurring decimals. A surd cannot be written in fraction form ab so it is also called an irrational
number.

Example 1
Evaluate each expression correct to two decimal places.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a 72 þ 92 b 122  102

Solution
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a 72 þ 92 ¼ 11:40175 . . . On a calculator, enter ( 7 +
 11:40 9 ) =
OR:
72 þ 92 ¼ 130 On a calculator, enter 7 + 9 =
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
130 ¼ 11:40175 . . . On a calculator, enter ANS =
 11:40
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
b 122  102 ¼ 6:63324 . . . On a calculator, enter ( 12
 6:63 − 10 ) =
OR:
122  102 ¼ 140 On a calculator, enter 12 −
10 =
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
140 ¼ 6:63324 . . . On a calculator, enter ANS =
 6:63

9780170189538 5
Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

Example 2
pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
Select the surds from this list of square roots: 72 121 64 90 28

Solution
pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
72 ¼ 8.4852 … 121 ¼ 11 64 ¼ 8
pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
90 ¼ 9.4868 … pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi 28 ¼ 5.2915 …
so the surds are 72, 90 and 28.

Exercise 1-01 Square roots and surds

See Example 1 1 Evaluate each square root.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
a p196
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi b p900
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi c p64
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
d 625 e 121 f 361

2 Evaluate each square root, correct to two decimal places.

pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
12 ffi b pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
45 ffi c p1001
ffiffiffiffiffi d p325
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
e p153
ffiffiffiffiffi f p207
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi g p98ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi h p888
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
i 24 j 110 k 297 l 689

3 Evaluate each expression, correct to two decimal places.

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a p12 2  52
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi b 52 þ 72 c 62 þ 112
p ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
d 172  122 e 82  32 f 42 þ 92
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
g ð1:5Þ2 þ ð4:2Þ2 h ð12:5Þ2  ð7:1Þ2 i ð25:7Þ2 þ ð18:2Þ2

See Example 2 4 Which of the following is not a surd? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffi
A 10:24 B 24 C 1000 D 3

5 Select all the surds from this list of square roots.

pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
98
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 9
pffiffiffiffiffi 225
pffiffiffiffiffi p160
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p36
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p52
ffiffiffiffiffi
144 77 18 196 200 81

Just for the record Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans

Pythagoras was a mathematician who lived in ancient Greece.
The Pythagoreans were a group of men who followed
Pythagoras.
This is the symbol of the Pythagorean secret society.
Apparently they were so upset about the discovery of surds
that they tried to keep it a secret. Hippasus, one of the
Pythagoreans, was drowned for revealing the secret to
outsiders.

Find the special name for this symbol involving a star inside This is the symbol of the
a pentagon. Pythagorean secret society.

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Technology
1-02 Discovering Pythagoras’ theorem GeoGebra: Pythagoras’
theorem

A right-angled triangle has one right angle (90°) and two MAT08MGTC00004

smaller angles. The side opposite the right angle is the Worksheet
the hypotenuse
longest side and is called the hypotenuse.
(the longest side) Pythagoras’ discovery
Pythagoras’ theorem is a rule that describes The hypotenuse MAT08MGWK10004
the relationship between the hypotenuse and is always opposite
Worksheet
the other two (shorter) sides. the right angle.
A page of right-angled
triangles
Example 3 MAT08MGWK10005

a Construct a right-angled triangle with the two shorter sides being of length 3 cm Worksheet
and 4 cm. Proving Pythagoras’
b Measure the length of the hypotenuse. theorem

c Evaluate 32 þ 42. MAT08MGWK10006

d If c is the length of the hypotenuse in centimetres, evaluate c 2.

Solution
a b Measuring with a ruler, the hypotenuse is 5 cm long.

cc
m
3 cm

4 cm

c 32 þ 42 ¼ 25. d c 2 ¼ 52 ¼ 25.

Exercise 1-02 Discovering Pythagoras’ theorem

1 Name the hypotenuse in each triangle.
a b x c L M
p
q

z
r y

2 a Draw a right-angled triangle with short sides measuring 5 cm and 12 cm. See Example 3
b Measure the length of the hypotenuse.
c Evaluate 52 þ 122.

9780170189538 7
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

d If c is the length of the hypotenuse in centimetres, evaluate c 2.

e Copy and complete each statement.
The square of the hypotenuse ¼ ____2 ¼ ____
The sum of the squares of the two shorter sides ¼ ____2 þ ____2 ¼ ____
3 Which equation is true for the right-angled
triangle shown? Select the correct answer
A, B, C or D. 17
A 8 þ 15 ¼ 17 8
B 82 þ 152 ¼ 172
C 82 þ 172 ¼ 152
D 172 þ 152 ¼ 82 15

4 a Use GeoGebra (or pencil, ruler and 5 mm grid paper) to draw a right-angled triangle with
the shorter sides of length 6 cm and 8 cm, then measure the length of the hypotenuse. Click
View Grid and remove Axes before you begin, then create the triangle using Interval
Between Two Points. Check the lengths using Distance or Length.
b Copy and complete this table by:
• constructing each right-angled triangle with the measurements given for the two shorter
sides a and b (using GeoGebra or pencil and paper)
• measuring the length, c, of the hypotenuse
• evaluating the values of a 2, b 2, a 2 þ b 2, c 2
Shorter sides (cm) Hypotenuse (cm)
a b c a2 b2 a2 þ b2 c2
a 6 8
b 2.5 6
c 1.5 2
d 4 7.5

5 What rule or relationship did you discover between the length of the hypotenuse and the
lengths of the other two sides?

Video tutorial

Pythagoras’ theorem
1-03 Finding the hypotenuse
MAT08MGVT10001

Technology worksheet Summary

Excel: Pythagoras’
theorem Pythagoras’ theorem
MAT08MGCT00024
In a right-angled triangle, the square of the
Technology hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the c
other two sides. If c is the length of the hypotenuse, a
Excel: Pythagoras’
theorem and a and b are the lengths of the other two sides,
MAT08MGCT00009 then:
c2 ¼ a2 þ b2 b

8 9780170189538
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A theorem is a formal rule or formula. Pythagoras’ theorem was discovered by the ancient Greek
mathematician Pythagoras. This rule is used to find the length of one side of a right-angled triangle
when the other two sides are known.

Example 4
Write Pythagoras’ theorem for nLNM. L

Solution
The hypotenuse is LN, the two shorter sides are LM and MN.
So Pythagoras’ theorem is LN 2 ¼ LM 2 þ MN 2 M N

Example 5
Find the value of c in this triangle. 9 cm

Solution
c cm is the length of the

40 cm
hypotenuse. Using Pythagoras’

c cm
theorem:
c2 ¼ a2 þ b2
c 2 ¼ 92 þ 402 Substitute the lengths of the two shorter sides.
¼ 1681
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
c ¼ 1681 Use the square root to find c.
¼ 41
Check: A hypotenuse of 41 cm looks reasonable from the diagram: it is the longest side and
a little longer than 40 cm.

Example 6
Find the value of x in this triangle:
36

a as a surd
m

b correct to two decimal places.

xm

Solution
a Write Pythagoras’ theorem. m
50
c2 ¼ a2 þ b2
x 2 ¼ 50 2 þ 362 Substitute the lengths of the two shorter sides.
¼ 3796
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
x ¼ 3796 Because the question asks for
a surd, leave the answer in
p
square root ( ) form.

9780170189538 9
Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
b x¼ 3796 From part a.
¼ 61:6116 . . .
 61.61 Check: From the diagram, this answer looks
reasonable.

Note: The surd answer is more exact than the decimal answer because it is not rounded.

Exercise 1-03 Finding the hypotenuse

See Example 4 1 What is Pythagoras’ theorem for this triangle? X
Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
A z2 ¼ x2 þ y2 y
B ZY 2 ¼ ZX 2 þ XY 2 z
C XY 2 ¼ ZY 2 þ ZX 2
D y2 ¼ x2 þ z2
Z x Y

2 Write Pythagoras’ theorem for each right-angled triangle.

a m b c J
r s
n
p
t L K

d e 10 f

x
5 3
d
7.5

12
.5

3
3

See Example 5 3 Find the value of each pronumeral.

a b d cm c 9m
hm
6m

15

m
12 m

20
m

xc
m

8m

See Example 6 4 Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

a b c
m xm
6c
13 mm
4c

km m
17 km

b cm
20 mm
24 km
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1m 3.4 cm
d e

2.8 cm
1m

dc
pm
m

5 For each triangle in question 4, find correct to one decimal place the value of each pronumeral.
6 In this triangle, what is the value of d? Select the Worked solutions
correct answer A, B, C or D. 12 Exercise 1-03
A 22.8 B 12.9 MAT08MGWS10001
C 34.5 D 25.5 d

22.5

7 Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to two decimal places.

a b p

5
2.3
7.6
h
c

6
1.7 2.5

z
8 Copy and complete each equation.
a 242 þ 322 ¼ ____2 b 362 þ 152 ¼ ____2 c 92 þ 402 ¼ ____2
d 212 þ ____2 ¼ 352 e 602 þ ____2 ¼ 612 f ____2 þ 152 ¼ 172
g ____2 þ 242 ¼ 512 h ____2 þ ____2 ¼ 102 i ____2 þ ____2 ¼ 152

Technology Finding the hypotenuse

In this activity, we will create a spreadsheet to calculate the length b
of the hypotenuse, c, of a right-angled triangle, given the lengths
of the other two sides (a and b).
a
c

9780170189538 11
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

1 Enter the headings and values shown below.

Remember: a^2 þ b^2 means

a2 þ b2.

2 Enter into cell C2 the formula =A2^2þB2^2, and use Fill Down to copy this formula into
cells C3 to C5.
3 To calculate the length of each hypotenuse in column D, we need to find the square root
of the values in column C, so in cell D2, enter =sqrt(C2). Then Fill Down to copy this
formula into cells D3 to D5.
4 Use your spreadsheet to check your answers to questions 3 to 6 of Exercise 1-03.

1-04 Finding a shorter side

Video tutorial Pythagoras’ theorem can also be used to find the length of one of the shorter sides in a right-
Pythagoras’ theorem
angled triangle if the hypotenuse and the other side are given. In this case, we subtract the length
of the known shorter side from the length of the hypotenuse.
MAT08MGVT10001

Technology
Summary
Excel: Pythagoras’
theorem
To find the length of a shorter side, a, in a right-
MAT08MGCT00009 angled triangle with hypotenuse c and other shorter
side b, use Pythagoras’ theorem in the form: c
2 2 2 a
a ¼c b

Example 7
Find the value of d in this triangle.
6 mm
d mm

m
m
10

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Solution
We want to find the length of one of the shorter sides. Use Pythagoras’ theorem.
a2 ¼ c2  b2
d 2 ¼ 102  62 Substitute the hypotenuse and the other side.
¼ 64
pffiffiffiffiffi
d ¼ 64 Take the square root to find d.
¼8 Check: From the diagram, the answer d ¼ 8
looks reasonable.

Example 8
Find the value of y in this triangle: ym
a as a surd
b correct to two decimal places.

38
Solution

m
a a2 ¼ c2  b2 43
m
y 2 ¼ 432  382 2 2
(Hypotenuse)  (other side)
¼ 405
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
y ¼ 405 Surd answer
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
b y ¼ 405 from part a
¼ 20:1246 . . .
 20.12 Check: From the diagram, this answer appears
to be reasonable.

Exercise 1-04 Finding a shorter side

1 Find the value of each pronumeral. See Example 7

a 5 mm b c
34
cm
y cm

15 m
17
x mm

m
13 m

30 cm

ym

m
d e f 9m
m 24 cm
25 m
mm
d cm
mm

15
xm
20

am 30 c
m

m m

9780170189538 13
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

See Example 8 2 Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer in surd form.
a 1m b y cm c
m
mk

48
km
4 cm
10
xm

3m
125 km

cm
4 cm
110 m
d e f
7c
m
y cm

x cm
32

12
6
m

cm
xm
6 cm

3 Find the value of each pronumeral in question 2, correct to one decimal place.
4 What is the value of d? Select the correct answer
A, B, C or D. 85
km
A 74.16
B 79.53
dk
m

C 90.14
D 127.50 km
30
Worked solutions 5 Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to two
Exercise 1-04
decimal places.
MAT08MGWS10002 a k b c A
10

35
.6

6 45 B
12 27.3

C
6 What could be the lengths of ptheffiffiffi other two sides of a right-angled triangle if:
a one of the shorter sides is 7 cm long?
b one of the shorter sides is 7 cm long?
pffiffiffiffiffi
c the hypotenuse is 20 cm long?
d the hypotenuse is 20 cm long?

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Technology Finding a shorter side

b

a
c

In this activity, we will create a spreadsheet to calculate the length of a shorter side, a, of a right-
angled triangle, given the lengths of the hypotenuse (c) and the other side (b).
1 Enter the headings and values shown below.

2 Enter a formula into cell C2 to calculate c 2  b 2, which is 225, and use Fill Down to copy
this formula into cells C3 to C5.
3 To calculate the length of the shorter side (a) in column D, we need to find the square root
of c 2 – b 2. Enter a formula into cell D2 to calculate the square root of cell C2, which is 15,
and use Fill Down to copy this formula into cells D3 to D5.
4 Use your spreadsheet to check your answers to Exercise 1-04.

Mental skills 1 Maths without calculators

Squaring a number ending in 5 or 1

The square of a number ending in 5 always ends in 25.
For example, 352 ¼ 1225 and 1052 ¼ 11 025.
A mental calculation trick requires three easy steps:
• delete the 5 from the number
• multiply the remaining number by the next consecutive number
• write ‘25’ at the end of the product.
1 Study each example.
a To calculate 352:
• deleting the 5 from 35 leaves 3
• multiply 3 by the next consecutive number: 3 3 4 ¼ 12
• write ‘25’at the end: 1225
352 ¼ 1225
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 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

b To calculate 1052:
• deleting the 5 from 105 leaves 10
• multiply 10 by the next consecutive number: 10 3 11 ¼ 110
• write 25 at the end: 11 025
1052 ¼ 11 025
2 Now calculate each square number.
a 252 b 552 c 452 d 852
e 1152 f 7.52 g 952 h 1952
2 2
i 1.5 j 65 k 1552 l 2452
The square of a number ending in 1 always ends in 1.
For example, 412 ¼ 1681 and 712 ¼ 5041.
A mental calculation trick requires three steps:
• round the number down to the nearest 10 (by subtracting 1) to make a new number
• square the new number
• to your answer, add the new number and its next consecutive number
3 Study each example.
a To calculate 412:
• round 41 down to 40
• square 40: 402 ¼ 1600
• add 40 and 41: 1600 þ 40 þ 41 ¼ 1681
412 ¼ 1681
b To calculate 712:
• round 71 down to 70
• square 70: 702 ¼ 4900
• 4900 þ 70 þ 71 ¼ 5041
712 ¼ 5041
4 Now calculate each square number.
a 212 b 1012 c 312 d 912 e 5.12
f 812 g 612 h 2012 i 1.12 j 4.12

Worksheet
1-05 Mixed problems
Finding an unknown
side
To find the length of an unknown side in a right-angled triangle, follow these steps.
MAT08MGWK10007 1 Decide whether the unknown side is the hypotenuse or one of the shorter sides.
2 To find the hypotenuse, use c 2 ¼ a 2 þ b 2 and add.
Skillsheet
To find a shorter side, use a 2 ¼ c 2 – b 2 and subtract. pffi
Pythagoras’ theorem 3 If a surd answer is required, leave the answer in square root ( ) form. Otherwise, calculate the
MAT08MGSS10001 value correct to the required number of decimal places.

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Example 9
Puzzle sheet
Find the value of x as a surd. Pythagoras 1

MAT09MGPS00039
Solution

xc
8 cm

m
x is the hypotenuse. Puzzle sheet

c2 ¼ a2 þ b2 Pythagoras 2

x 2 ¼ 72 þ 82 7 cm MAT09MGPS00040

¼ 113
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
x ¼ 113 As a surd.

Example 10
Find the value of n correct to one decimal place. 1.9 km

Solution
n is a shorter side.

n km
4.3
a2 ¼ c2  b2
n 2 ¼ 4:32  1:9 2 km
(Hypotenuse)2  (other side)2
¼ 14:88
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
n ¼ 14:88
¼ 3:85746 . . . Find the square root.
 3:9

Exercise 1-05 Mixed problems

1 Find the value of each pronumeral.
a 36 cm b c
m
m

.4
hm

10
m
44

s mm
77 cm

9.6 m
fc

33
m
m
d rm e
mm
20
21
mm
2.4 m
5.1

l mm
m

9780170189538 17
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

See Example 9 2 Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

a 9m b c x mm

mm

t mm
22

17 mm
mm

7m
gm
32
18 mm

See Example 10 3 Find the value of each pronumeral correct to one decimal place.
a b c

am
m
27

4 km

pk
q cm

90 c

m
m

17 m

2.4 km
65 c
m

4 What is the value of y? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

A 25.29
B 25.30
C 30.47

28
y km
D 30.46

km

12 km
5 Find the value of each pronumeral correct to two decimal places.
a b 19.5 m c
8.9 cm

46 mm

v
m

m
ic

m
ym
34
.1
m

8.9 cm 29 mm

Worked solutions 6 Find the value of each pronumeral as a surd.

Exercise 1-05 a 5m b m
c
14 m
xm

MAT08MGWS10003
x
12 cm
m

cm
7m

16 mm
dm

12 cm

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d e f
10
11 km
cm
6 cm

27
m

x km

pm
p cm

m
8k
13 m
g m
h 32 cm i 21.5 km
2.4
3.3
m

18 km
m
20

xm xc yk
cm

1-06 Testing for right-angled triangles

Technology worksheet
Pythagoras’ theorem can be used to test whether a triangle is right-angled.
Pythagoras’ theorem
tester
Summary MAT08MGCT10011

Video tutorial
If the sides of a triangle have lengths a, b and
c, where c is largest, and they follow the Testing for right-angled
triangles
formula c 2 ¼ a 2 þ b 2, then the triangle must
a c MAT08MGVT10002
be right-angled.
The right angle is opposite the longest side, c. Worksheet

Pythagorean triads
b MAT08MGWK00056

This is called the converse of Pythagoras’ theorem. The word ‘converse’ means to ‘turn around’ or
‘reverse’. So the converse of a theorem is the theorem written ‘back-to-front’.

Example 11
Test whether each triangle is right-angled.
a b
15
m
27 cm

45

14
cm

6m
36 cm

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 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

Solution
a 452 ¼ 2025 Squaring the longest side.
2 2
27 þ 36 ¼ 2025 Squaring the two shorter sides, and adding.
2 2 2
[ 45 ¼ 27 þ 36 The three sides follow c 2 ¼ a 2 þ b 2.
[ The triangle is right-angled [ is the symbol for ‘therefore’
(with the right angle opposite the
45 cm side).
b 152 ¼ 225 Squaring the longest side.
2 2
6 þ 14 ¼ 232 Squaring the two shorter sides, and adding.
[ 152 6¼ 62 þ 142 The three sides do not follow c 2 ¼ a 2 þ b 2.
[ The triangle is not right-angled.

Exercise 1-06 Testing for right-angled triangles

See Example 11 1 Copy each triangle, test whether it is right-angled, then mark the right angle on the triangle.
Worked solutions a b c
12 5 40
Exercise 1-06
26
MAT08MGWS10004 10
42
13 9
24
d 15 e f
24

17 80
8 6
25 82

18

g h i 8.5
7.1 2.5

8.5 12.1
9.8 1.5
2

7.1

j k l
7.5 18 3.2 12.5
1.9 3.5

19.5 2.2 12

20 9780170189538
 N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A ustralian Curriculum 8

1-07 Pythagorean triads

A Pythagorean triad or Pythagorean triple is any group of three numbers that follow Pythagoras’ Worksheet
theorem, for example, (3, 4, 5) or (2.5, 6, 6.5). The word triad means a group of three related Pythagorean triads
items (‘tri-’ means 3).
MAT08MGWK10008

Technology worksheet
Summary
Excel: Pythagorean
2 2 2 triples
(a, b, c) is a Pythagorean triad if c ¼ a þ b .
MAT08MGCT00025

Any multiple of (a, b, c) is also a Pythagorean triad. Technology

Excel: Pythagorean
triples
Example 12
MAT08MGCT00010

Test whether (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triad.

Solution
132 ¼ 169 Squaring the largest number.
2 2
5 þ 12 ¼ 169 Squaring the two smaller numbers, and adding.
2 2 2
[ 13 ¼ 5 þ 12 These three numbers follow Pythagoras’ theorem.
[ (5, 12, 13) is a Pythagorean triad.

Example 13
(3, 4, 5) is a Pythagorean triad. Create other Pythagorean triads by multiplying (3, 4, 5) by:
1
a 2 b 9 c
2
Solution
a 2 3 (3, 4, 5) ¼ (6, 8, 10)
Checking: 102 ¼ 100
62 þ 82 ¼ 100
[ 102 ¼ 62 þ 82
[ (6, 8, 10) is a Pythagorean triad.
b 9 3 (3, 4, 5) ¼ (27, 36, 45)
Checking: 452 ¼ 2025
272 þ 362 ¼ 2025
[ 452 ¼ 272 þ 362
[ (27, 36, 45) is a Pythagorean triad.

9780170189538 21
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

1
c 3 (3, 4, 5) ¼ (1.5, 2, 2.5)
2
Checking: 2.52 ¼ 6.25
1.52 þ 22 ¼ 6.25
[ 2.52 ¼ 1.52 þ 22
[ (1.5, 2, 2.5) is a Pythagorean triad.

Exercise 1-07 Pythagorean triads

See Example 12 1 Test whether each triad is a Pythagorean triad.
a (8, 15, 17) b (10, 24, 26) c (30, 40, 50)
d (5, 7, 9) e (9, 40, 41) f (4, 5, 9)
g (11, 60, 61) h (7, 24, 25) i (15, 114, 115)

2 Which of the following is a Pythagorean triad? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.

A (4, 6, 8) B (5, 10, 12) C (6, 7, 10) D (20, 48, 52)

3 Use the spreadsheet you created in Technology: Pythagoras’ theorem tester to check your
answers to questions 1 and 2.
See Example 13 4 For each Pythagorean triad, create another Pythagorean triad by multiplying each number in
the triad by:
i a whole number ii a fraction iii a decimal.
a (5, 12, 13) b (8, 15, 17) c (30, 40, 50) d (7, 24, 25)
Check that each answer follows Pythagoras’ theorem.
Worked solutions 5 Pythagoras developed a formula for finding Pythagorean triads (a, b, c). If one number in the
Exercise 1-07
triad is a, the formulas for the other two numbers are b ¼ 12 ða 2  1Þ and c ¼ 12 ða 2 þ 1Þ.
a If a ¼ 5, use the formulas to find the values of b and c.
MAT08MGWS10005
b Hence show that (a, b, c) is a Pythagorean triad.
6 Use the formulas to find Pythagorean triads for each value of a.
a a¼7 b a ¼ 11 c a ¼ 15 d a¼4
e a¼9 f a ¼ 19 g a ¼ 10 h a ¼ 51

7 There are many other formulas for creating Pythagorean triads. Use the Internet to search for
some of them.

1-08 Pythagoras’ theorem problems

Worksheet Pythagoras’ theorem has many practical applications: from finding the diagonal length of a
Applications of
television screen to calculating the distance a ship has sailed.
Pythagoras’ theorem

MAT08MGWK10009

22 9780170189538
 N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A ustralian Curriculum 8
Example 14
Worksheet
The size of a TV screen is described by the length of its 58 cm Pythagoras’ theorem in
diagonal. If a flat screen TV is 58 cm wide and 32 cm 2D and 3D
high, what is the size of its screen? Answer to the nearest MAT08MGWK10010
centimetre. 32 cm
Worksheet
Solution TV screens

Let the diagonal length be d cm. MAT08MGWK10011

d 2 ¼ 58 2 þ 32 2 d is the hypotenuse.
¼ 4388
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
d ¼ 4388
¼ 66:24198 . . .
 66
The size of the screen is 66 cm.

Example 15
A tower is supported by a wire that is 20 m long The diagram
and attached to the ground 10 m from the base of
the tower. How high does the wire reach up the
tower? Answer to the nearest 0.1 m.

Solution 20 m wire

Let h m be how high the wire

reaches up the tower.
h2 ¼ 202  102 h is a shorter side. 10 m
¼ 300
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
h ¼ 300
¼ 17:3205
 17:3
The wire reaches 17.3 m up the tower.

Exercise 1-08 Pythagoras’ theorem problems

1 Find the length of this playground slide correct to two decimal places. See Example 14
2m

3m
9780170189538 23
 Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

2 A ship sails 60 kilometres south and then 70 kilometres east. How

far is it from its starting point, correct to one decimal place?

60 km
70 km
3 What is the length of the cable used to stabilise a flagpole that is
12 metres high, if the cable is secured to the ground 4 m from the
base of the flagpole? Select the correct answer A, B, C or D.
A 11.3 m B 12.6 m

le
C 16 m D 80 m

12 m
cab
4m

See Example 15 4 Find the height of an LCD TV screen with a 51 cm diagonal if its length is 41 cm. Give your
answer correct to one decimal place.
5 Find the length of the diagonal of a square with sides of
length 6 metres. Give your answer as a surd.

6 A firefighter places a ladder on a window sill 4.5 m 6m

above the ground. If the foot of the ladder is 1.6 m
from the wall, how long is the ladder, correct to one
decimal place?
4.5 m

1.6 m

Worked solutions 7 By first using Pythagoras’ theorem to find the length of the unknown side, find the perimeter
Exercise 1-08
of each shape below, correct to two decimal places, where necessary.
MAT08MGWS10006 a b c
9
cm
65
16 cm

cm

13 cm

25 cm
12 cm

24 9780170189538
 N E W C E N T U R Y M AT H S
for the A ustralian Curriculum 8
d 3m e 8m

4m
2.5 m
12 m
4.5 m
8 An equilateral triangle has sides of 12 cm. Find its perpendicular
height, h, correct to two decimal places.

12
cm

h cm

cm
12
9 A rope is tied to the top of the 6 metre wall of a tent and tied to a peg in the ground. The peg
is 2 m from the bottom of the tent. How long is the rope, correct to two decimal places?
10 Olga holds a kite string 1.2 m above the ground. How high is the kite above the ground, to the
nearest metre?

30 m

26 m
1.2 m

11 Find the area of each shape below, correct to one decimal place where necessary.
a 16 cm b c

cm
20
41 m

24 mm
25
mm
m

11 cm

d 4m e
18 cm

9 mm
5m

cm
7m 11

12 This baseball diamond is a square shape of length 27 m. What is the distance from the home
plate to second base, to the nearest metre?

27 m

9780170189538 25
Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Pythagoras’ theorem

13 The slant height of a cone is 27 cm and its vertical height is 14 cm.

Find the radius of the base circle, correct to the nearest centimetre.

27
14 cm

cm
r cm

14 A ladder 5 m long leans against a wall, with its base 2 m from the bottom of the wall. How far
does the ladder reach up the wall, correct to nearest centimetre?

Power plus

1 Find the value of x in each triangle, correct to one decimal place.

a b c
x 2x
15
x
x x
32 62

d e f
3x x
23 9
x
17 2x
3x
x
E F
2 Find, correct to one decimal place,
the length of: C
5m

B
a HD H G
b DE
6m
A 15 m D
3 For this cube of side length 15 cm find, correct to U T
one decimal place, the length of: N
M
a QS, the diagonal of the base
b QT, the diagonal of the cube
R S

Q 15 cm P
4 For this square pyramid, find the slant height EF E
correct to one decimal place.
18 cm
D C
Chapter 1 review F
A 8 cm B

26 9780170189538
 Chapter 1 review

n Language of maths
area hypotenuse right-angled surd Puzzle sheet
converse irrational shorter theorem Pythagoras’ theorem
find-a-word
diagonal perimeter side triad
MAT08MGPS10001
formula Pythagoras square root unknown
1 Who was Pythagoras and what country did he come from?
2 Describe the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle in two ways.
3 What is another word for ‘theorem’?
4 For what type of triangle is Pythagoras’ theorem used?
5 What is a surd?
6 What is the name given to a set of three numbers that follows Pythagoras’ theorem?

n Topic overview
• How relevant do you think Pythagoras’ theorem is to our world? Give reasons for your answer. Worksheet
• Give three examples of jobs that would use Pythagoras’ theorem. Mind map: Pythagoras’
• What did you find especially interesting about this topic? theorem

• Is there any section of this topic that you found difficult? Discuss any problems with your MAT08MGWK10012
teacher or a friend.
Copy and complete this mind map of the topic, adding detail to its branches and using pictures,
symbols and colour where needed. Ask your teacher to check your work.
PYTHAGORAS’
THEOREM

Triads Surds
3, _ , 5
5, 12 , _ 2 7

a
c 2 = a2 + b 2 b
tri t-an for
gle d

c
an gle
h g

Hy_ _
s
rig estin

____
__
T

Problems

9780170189538 27
 Chapter 1 revision

See Exercise 1-01 1 Evaluate each expression, correct to two decimal places.
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
a 203 b 152 þ 62 c 72  42 d 3:42 þ 5:22
See Exercise 1-01 2 Select all the surds from this list of square roots.
pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffi
p25
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p104
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p96
ffiffiffiffiffi p256
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi p12
ffiffiffiffiffi
169 121 45 729 88
See Exercise 1-02 3 For each right-angled triangle, name the hypotenuse and write Pythagoras’ theorem.
a A B b c

d h
e
s

f
k
C

See Exercise 1-03 4 Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer as a surd.
a b p c

35 17 25
4
c 10

See Exercise 1-04 5 Find the value of each pronumeral, giving your answer correct to two decimal places.
a m b c A
12 2.1
f
1
1
1.4 B
16 5.3

See Exercise 1-05 6 Find the value of each pronumeral, correct to one decimal place.
a b 6.4 m c
100 km

m
zk
vm
33 mm
ym
9.5

m
m

105 km

27 mm

28 9780170189538
 Chapter 1 revision

7 Test whether each triangle is right-angled. See Exercise 1-06

a b 36 c 49

2.5
1.5
15 39 32
81
2

8 Test whether each triad is a Pythagorean triad. See Exercise 1-07

a (15, 20, 25) b (11, 14, 20) c (20, 21, 29) d (2.5, 6, 6.5)
9 Find the length of the longest pencil that can fit inside this pencil case. Answer to the nearest mm. See Exercise 1-08

180 mm
100 mm

10 Find the perimeter of each shape, correct to one decimal place. See Exercise 1-08

a 1.1 m b
20 cm
40 cm
3.8
m

45 cm

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