The Power Of Pythagorean Theorem: The Basics And Applications Of Right Triangles

right triangle

a triangle having an interior angle measuring 90 degrees

A right triangle is a geometrical figure that has one angle equal to 90 degrees. It is formed by the intersection of two lines that meet at a right angle, also known as perpendicular lines, which form the two legs of the triangle. The third side, opposite the 90-degree angle, is called the hypotenuse, which is the longest side of a right triangle.

The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. This theorem provides a fundamental relationship in geometry that allows us to calculate unknown sides or angles of a right triangle.

Other important properties of a right triangle include the fact that the two acute angles are complementary, meaning that they add up to 90 degrees. Additionally, the altitude, or the line perpendicular to the hypotenuse that connects the hypotenuse to the opposite vertex, is an important concept in solving problems related to right triangles.

Right triangles are commonly used in real-world applications and can be found in various fields such as mathematics, engineering, physics, and construction.

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