Many Proofs of Pythagorean Theorem

Brook Buckelew & Nikki Masson

Pythagorean Theorem - In any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs equals the square of the hypotenuse. The pythagorean theorem is usually written in the form

where a and b are the legs of the triangle and c is the hypotenuse or the longest segment of the triangle opposite the right angle.

 

 

There are many ways to prove the Pythagorean Theorem, but how many ways can we prove the Pythagorean Theorem using the following triangle:

Here are five proofs using the same triangle.

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

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