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The Converse of Pythagoras

Age 14 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
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Pythagoras' theorem states that:

"If a triangle with sides $a, b, c$ has a right-angle, and $c$ is the hypotenuse, then $a^2+b^2=c^2$."

You can find some proofs of Pythagoras' theorem here and here.  For this problem you can assume that Pythagoras' theorem is true.

The converse of Pythagoras' theorem states that:

"If a triangle has lengths $a, b$ and $c$ which satisfy $a^2+b^2=c^2$ then it is a right-angled triangle."

We can prove this by using a proof by contradiction, which means starting by assuming that the opposite is true and then showing that this leads to an inconsistency or contradiction.

Below is a proof sorter of a proof that if $a^2+b^2=c^2$ then $C$ cannot be less than $90^{\circ}$, and a diagram to accompany the proof.  Can you use the diagram and the statements to reconstruct a proof that angle $C$ cannot be less than $90^{\circ}$?

 


Can you use the diagram below, and the ideas from the proof sorter above, to construct a proof that angle $C$ cannot be more than $90^{\circ}$?

Once both proofs have been completed then we know that $C$ cannot be less than $90^{\circ}$, and that $C$ cannot be more than $90^{\circ}$, therefore $C$ must be equal to $90^{\circ}$ and hence if we have $a^2+b^2=c^2$ then the triangle is right-angled at $C$.

 

We are very grateful to the Heilbronn Institute for Mathematical Research for their generous support for the development of this resource.

 

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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