Lesson 10
Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem
Let’s explore some applications of the Pythagorean Theorem.
10.1: Closest Estimate: Square Roots
Which estimate is closest to the actual value of the expression? Explain your reasoning.
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\(\sqrt{24}\)
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4
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4.5
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5
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\(\sqrt7\)
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2
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2.5
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3
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\(\sqrt{42}\)
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6
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6.5
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7
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\(\sqrt{10}\) + \(\sqrt{97}\)
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13
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13.25
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13.5
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10.2: Cutting Corners
Mai and Tyler were standing at one corner of a large rectangular field and decided to race to the opposite corner. Since Mai had a bike and Tyler did not, they thought it would be a fairer race if Mai rode along the sidewalk that surrounds the field while Tyler ran the shorter distance directly across the field. The field is 100 meters long and 80 meters wide. Tyler can run at around 5 meters per second, and Mai can ride her bike at around 7.5 meters per second.
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Before making any calculations, who do you think will win? By how much? Explain your thinking.
- Who wins? Show your reasoning.
A calculator may be necessary to answer the following questions. Round answers to the nearest hundredth.
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If you could give the loser of the race a head start, how much time would they need in order for both people to arrive at the same time?
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If you could make the winner go slower, how slow would they need to go in order for both people to arrive at the same time?
10.3: Internal Dimensions
Here are two rectangular prisms:
- Which figure do you think has the longer diagonal? Note that the figures are not drawn to scale.
- Calculate the lengths of both diagonals. Which one is actually longer?
Summary
The Pythagorean Theorem can be used to solve any problem that can be modeled with a right triangle where the lengths of two sides are known and the length of the other side needs to be found. For example, let’s say a cable is being placed on level ground to support a tower. It’s a 17-foot cable, and the cable should be connected 15 feet up the tower. How far away from the bottom of the tower should the other end of the cable connect to the ground?
It is often very helpful to draw a diagram of a situation, such as the one shown here:
It’s assumed that the tower makes a right angle with the ground. Since this is a right triangle, the relationship between its sides is \(a^2+b^2=c^2\), where \(c\) represents the length of the hypotenuse and \(a\) and \(b\) represent the lengths of the other two sides. The hypotenuse is the side opposite the right angle. Making substitutions gives \(a^2+15^2=17^2\). Solving this for \(a\) gives \(a=8\). So, the other end of the cable should connect to the ground 8 feet away from the bottom of the tower.
Glossary Entries
- Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean Theorem describes the relationship between the side lengths of right triangles.
The diagram shows a right triangle with squares built on each side. If we add the areas of the two small squares, we get the area of the larger square.
The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs. This is written as \(a^2+b^2=c^2\).
- hypotenuse
The hypotenuse is the side of a right triangle that is opposite the right angle. It is the longest side of a right triangle.
Here are some right triangles. Each hypotenuse is labeled.
- legs
The legs of a right triangle are the sides that make the right angle.
Here are some right triangles. Each leg is labeled.
