Interactive applet

Pythagorean Theorem

Drag the legs of a right triangle. Watch a² + b² and c² stay in lockstep.

Grade 8 State Test

Hands-on lab

a² = 9b² = 16c² = 25

Squares on each side

a² + b² = c²

9 + 16 = 25 = c², so c ≈ 5

Missions

  • Build a 3-4-5 triangle
  • Build an isosceles right triangle (a = b)

1/2 complete

Guided questions

Make a 6-8-10 triangle. What do you notice about the squares?

Reflection

How is the distance formula just the Pythagorean theorem in disguise?

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