What does the Pythagorean Theorem state?
The square on the hypothenuse is equal the sum of the squares on the legs.
(Since the word hypothenuse was used we may safely assume a right triangle was in question.)
Question: What does this mean?
Why not restate the theorem as: the triangle on the hypothenuse is equal to the sum of the
triangles on the sides?
OR
The pentagon on the hypothenuse is equal to the sum of the pentagons on the sides.
Is it true that any figure would work on the sides of a right triangle?
New Question: Why still use the square (tradition–simplicity–no good reason)?
Formulas with various figures:
Triangle (Equilateral):
Square(a.k.a. Equilateral Quadrilateral): a2 + b2 = c2
Pentagon (Equilateral):
Or something very strange depending upon the shape.
Designed by David Jay Hebert Ph.D.