obviously i can't understand the Pythagorean Theorem -_- will someone explain it to mee??

Question

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

the pathagorean theorem is typically used to find the hypotenuse of a right triangle. a right triangle is a triangle that has a 90 degree angle. $$a ^{2}+b ^{2}=c$$

anonymous · Answer

that should be $$c ^{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

it is a formula you will have to memorize unless you are looking for deeper knowledge by wanting a proof.

anonymous · Answer

i see...

anonymous · Answer

here is a .gif on wikipedia what my give you some visual intuition. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pythagoras-2a.gif

anonymous · Answer

okay i have a question that i am stuck on, what is the length of segment BC in the right triangle:

anonymous · Answer

ok since BC is your hypotenuse and you have two legs on a right triangle you simply plug in the values for the legs into your pathogorean equation.

anonymous · Answer

$$18^{2}+80^{2}=c ^{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

now you just have to solve for c

anonymous · Answer

and 18 and 80 are interchangle by the way, it doesnt matter which leg is a and which leg is b

anonymous · Answer

but the hypotenuse is always c

anonymous · Answer

ohh ok!