Theorem 14 Proof 59172z

Theorem 14: [Theorem of Pythagoras] In a right-angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse is the sum of the squares of the other two sides. USE THE FORWARD AND THE BACK ARROWS ON THE KEYBOARD TO VIEW AND REWIND PROOF.

Triangle ABC with |BAC| = 90O

Given: To Prove:

|BC|2 = |AB|2 + |AC|2

Construction: Proof: B and ADC

B

Draw a perpendicular from A to meet BC at D In the triangles ABC

90o

D

D 90o

90o

A

90o A



A

C

90o

C

C

|  BAC| = |ADC|

Right angles

|  BCA| = |ACD|

Same angle

∆ ABC and ∆ ADC are equiangular.

 ∆ ABC and ∆ ADC are similar.



Theorem 13

| BC | | AC |  | AC | | DC |

 |AC|2 = |BC| x |DC| ………….Equation 1 © Project Maths Development Team

B

In the triangles ABC and ABD B

B





90o D

90o

D 90o

90o A

C

A

|  BAC| = |ADB|

Right angles

|  ABC| = |ABD|

Same angle



A

90o

C

∆ ABC and ∆ ABD are equiangular.

 ∆ ABC and ∆ ABD are similar. | BC | | AB |   | AB | | BD |

Theorem 13

 |AB|2 = |BC| x |BD| ………….Equation 2 Adding Equation 1 and Equation 2 2 |AC| = |BC| x |DC| …Equation 1 2 |AB| = |BC| x |BD| … Equation 2 2 |AC| + |AB|2 = |BC| x |DC| + |BC| x | BD|

© Project Maths Development Team 2

B  |AC|2 + |AB|2 = |BC| {|DC| + |BD|} common

|BC| is

But |AC|2 + |AB|2 = |BC| {|DC| + |BD|} common

|BC| is 90o

90o

But DC| + |BD| = |BC|



|AC|2 + |AB|2 = |BC| x |BC|

 

D

A

90o

C

|AC|2 + |AB|2 = |BC|2 |BC|2 = |AB|2 + |AC|2 Q.E.D.

© Project Maths Development Team 2