Pythagorean theorem
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Pythagorean theorem

noun

Definition of PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

: a theorem in geometry: the square of the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides

First Known Use of PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

1743

Pythagorean theorem

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Rule relating the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. It says that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle). That is, a2 + b2 = c2, where c is the length of the hypotenuse. Triads of whole numbers that satisfy it (e.g., 3, 4, and 5) are called Pythagorean triples. See also law of cosines; law of sines.

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