EngageNY
Prove the Pythagorean Theorem Using Similarity
Amaze your classes with the ability to find side lengths of triangles immediately — they'll all want to know your trick! Learners use the Pythagorean Theorem and special right triangle relationships to find missing side lengths.
EngageNY
Informal Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
Prove the Pythagorean Theorem using multiple informal proofs. Scholars first develop an understanding of the origins of the Pythagorean Theorem through proofs. They round out the lesson by using the theorem to find missing side lengths...
Willow Tree
The Pythagorean Theorem
There isn't a more popular geometry formula than the Pythagorean Theorem! Learners understand the special side relationships in a right triangle. They use the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing sides and to solve problems. They begin...
CK-12 Foundation
Solving Equations Using the Pythagorean Theorem: Cryptography
Don't keep this resource a secret. Individuals learn to use the Pythagorean Theorem to find Pythagorean triples. They also see how Pythagorean triples can be useful in the field of cryptography to encrypt secret messages.
EngageNY
Trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem
Ancient Egyptians sure knew their trigonometry! Pupils learn how the pyramid architects applied right triangle trigonometry. When comparing the Pythagorean theorem to the trigonometric ratios, they learn an important connection that...
Curated OER
Two Triangles' Area
Need an activity for teaching the Pythagorean Theorem? Geometry juniors apply the Pythagorean theorem to two triangles to determine a final calculation.
EngageNY
Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem
Examine the application of the Pythagorean Theorem in problem-solving questions. Pupils apply the theorem to find lengths when given different scenarios. They finish the 17th installment in an 18-part series by applying the theorem...
EngageNY
The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Is it a right triangle or not? Introduce scholars to the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem with a lesson plan that also provides a proof by contradiction of the converse. Pupils use the converse to determine whether triangles with...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Classify Triangles: Missing Angles
Learn to use the Pythagorean Theorem with non-right triangles. Pupils use the interactive to discover the relationship between the lengths of sides for acute and obtuse triangles. They compare the squares of the sides of the triangles to...
Curated OER
A Rectangle in the Coordinate Plane
A quadrilateral is drawn on the coordinate plane, and eighth grade geometers find the length of each side and the diagonals by applying the Pythagorean theorem.
Virginia Department of Education
Pythagorean Theorem
Investigate the meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem through modeling. After comparing the area of the square of each side, individuals cut triangles and squares to facilitate the comparison.
EngageNY
Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
What does similarity have to do with the Pythagorean Theorem? The activity steps through the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem by using similar triangles. Next, the teacher leads a discussion of the proof and follows it by an animated...
EngageNY
Applications of the Pythagorean Theorem
Begin seeing the world through the lens of geometry! Use the 19th installment in a 25-part module to apply the Pythagorean Theorem to solve real-world problems. Individuals sketch situations resulting in right triangles such as the...
CK-12 Foundation
Lengths of Triangle Sides Using the Pythagorean Theorem: Find the Missing Side
What is the relationship between the sides of a right triangle? Learners use an interactive to create models of right triangles and view the relationship between the lengths of the sides. They finish by using the Pythagorean Theorem to...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Tree Shadows
Why is that shadow getting longer? Determine the changes in the length of a shadow as the sun changes position in the sky. Individuals use an interactive to calculate the length of a shadow at different times during the day via the...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem and Its Converse
To be a right triangle, or not to be — that is the question. Scholars drag line segments in an Internet application to see if they form right triangles. Once they get the results of the activity, they connect them to the converse of the...
Inside Mathematics
Hopewell Geometry
The Hopewell people of the central Ohio Valley used right triangles in the construction of earthworks. Pupils use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine missing dimensions of right triangles used by the Hopewell people. The assessment task...
Mathematics Vision Project
Connecting Algebra and Geometry
Connect algebra and geometry on the coordinate plane. The eighth unit in a nine-part integrated course has pupils develop the distance formula from the Pythagorean Theorem. Scholars prove geometric theorems using coordinates...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Neighborhood Map
Find the distance between various locations in a neighborhood. Scholars use the interactive to find distances between locations on a map. The map is overlaid onto a grid to provide coordinates for each location, and pupils apply...
CK-12 Foundation
Pythagorean Theorem to Determine Distance: Distance Between Friends
Pupils use an interactive to help visualize the right triangles needed to calculate distances between friends' houses. Individuals solve five problems on how to determine distances and comparing the distances.
EngageNY
The Power of Algebra—Finding Pythagorean Triples
The Pythagorean Theorem makes an appearance yet again in this lesson on polynomial identities. Learners prove a method for finding Pythagorean triples by applying the difference of squares identity.
Illustrative Mathematics
Shortest Line Segment from a Point P to a Line L
One of the hardest skills for many young geometers to grasp is to move beyond just declaring obvious things true, and really returning to fundamental principles for proof. This brief exercise stretches those proving muscles as the...
EEWeb
Geometry: Shapes and Solids
An excellent resource for a geometry class, as well as for an electrical engineering course. A thorough reference sheet covers geometric shapes such as triangles, parallelograms, and circles, as well as 3-D shapes and the Pythagorean...
CK-12 Foundation
Identifying Sets of Pythagorean Triples: The iPad is a Pythagorean Triple
Compare iPad and HDTV aspect ratios. Individuals use the interactive to determine whether the measurements of screens represent a Pythagorean triple. The pupils determine what changes are needed to make a Pythagorean triple.