Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem

366PAGE 1

UN IT–1

Work of Pythagoras on Right-Angled Triangles (U.B + K.B)

(LHR 2016, GRW 2014, 17, BWP 2017, SWL 2015, 16, 17, MTN 2015, D.G.K 2014, 15, 17)
Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher and mathematician, discovered the simple but important
relationship between the sides of a right-angled triangle. He formulated this relationship
in the form of a theorem called Pythagoras’ theorem after his name.
Note (U.B + K.B)
Birth of Pythagoras 580 BC – 572 BC
Death of Pythagoras 500 BC – 490 BC
Theorem 15.1.1 (U.B + K.B)
In a right angled triangle, the square of the length of hypotenuse is equal to the sum
of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.

Given
∆ ACB is a right angled triangle in which mC = 90° and m BC = a, m AC = b and

m AB = c
To prove
c2 = a2 + b2
Construction
Draw CD perpendicular from C on AB

Let mCD  h, mAD  x and mBD  y . Line segment CD splits ∆ABC into two
∆s ADC and BDC which are separately shown in the figures (ii) –a and (ii) –b
respectively.

MATHEMATICS-9 366
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
367PAGE 1
Proof
Statements Reasons
UN IT–1
In ∆ ADC ↔ ∆ ACB Refer to figure (ii)-a and (i)
A  A Common – Self Congruent
ADC  ACB Construction- given, each angle = 90°
C  B C and B complements of A
∆ADC ~ ∆ACB Congruency of three angles
x b (Measures of corresponding sides of similar triangles
 
b c are proportional)
b2
or x  _______ (i)
c
Again in ∆BDC ↔ ∆BCA Refer to figure (ii)-b and (i)
B  B Common – self Congruent
BDC  BCA Construction – given each angle = 90°
C  A C and A complements of B
 ∆BDC : ∆BCA Congruency of three angles

y a (Corresponding sides of similar triangles are

 
a c proportional)

a2
or y  _______ (ii)
c

But y + x = c Supposition

a 2 b2
  c By (i) and (ii)
c c

or a 2  b 2  c2 Multiplying both side by c

i.e. c2  a 2  b 2
Corollary: (U.B + K.B)
In a right angle ABC , the right angle at A.
2 2 2
(i) m AB  mBC  mCA
2 2 2
(ii) m AC  mBC  m AB

MATHEMATICS-9 367
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
368PAGE 1
Note (U.B + K.B)
Pythagoras’ theorem has many proofs. The one we have given is based on the proportionality
of the sides of two similar triangles. For convenience s ADC UN andIT–1
CDB have been shown
separately. Otherwise, the theorem is usually proved using figure (i) only.
Theorem 15.1.2 Converse of Pythagoras Theorem 15.1.1 (U.B + K.B)
If the Square of one side of a triangle is equal to the sum of the square of the other
two sides, then the triangle is a right angled triangle.
Given
In a ∆ABC, m AB  c, mBC  a, m AC  b
Such that a 2  b 2  c 2 .
To prove
∆ACB is a right angled triangle.
Construction
Draw CD perpendicular to BC Such that
CD  CA . Join the points B and D.
Proof
Statements Reasons
∆DCB is a right angled triangle. Construction
 
2
 mBD  a 2  b2 Pythagoras theorem
But a 2  b 2  c2 Given
 
2
 mBD  c2
or mBD  c Taking Square root on both sides
Now in ∆DCB ↔ ∆ACB
CD  CA Construction
BC  BC Common
DB  AB Each side = c
∆ DCB  ∆ ACB S.S.S  S.S.S
Corresponding angles of congruent
 DCB  ACB triangles
But m DCB = 90° Construction
m ACB = 90°
Hence the ∆ ACB is a Right angled triangle.
Corollary (U.B + K.B + A.P)
Let c be the longest of the sides a , b and c of a triangle.
If a 2  b 2  c 2 , then the triangle is right.
If sum of the squares of two sides is equal to third side, then triangle is right angled
triangle.
If a 2  b 2  c 2 , then the triangle is acute.
If sum of the squares of two sides is greater than the third side, the triangle is acute
angled triangle.
If a 2  b 2  c 2 , then the triangle is obtuse.
If sum of the squares of two sides is smaller than the third side, the triangle is obtuse
angled triangle.

MATHEMATICS-9 368
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
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Exercise 15
Q.1 Verify that the ∆s having the (iv) a = 16cm a2 = 256cm2
following measures of sides are b = 30cmUN IT–1b2 = 900cm2
right-angled. (A.B) c = 34cm c2 = 1156cm2
Solution: Larger Size is Hypotenuse, So
∆s are right angled, if (U.B) c 2  a 2  b2
(Hypotenuse) 2 = (base) 2 + (Perpendicular) 2 Putting the values
(i) (LHR 2016, GRW 2013, FSD 2015, 17, MTN 1156 = 256 + 900
2013, SWL 2014, 15, 17, SGD 2013, 17)
1156 = 1156 (A.B)
a = 5cm  a2 = 25cm2
Satisfied
b = 12cm  b2 = 144cm2
So, given measures form a right
c = 13cm  c2 = 169cm2
angled triangle.
Larger Size is Hypotenuse, So
Q.2 Verify that a 2  b2 , a 2  b2 and 2ab
c 2  a 2  b2
Putting the values are the measures of the sides of a
169 = 25 + 144 right angled triangle where a and
169 = 169 b are any two real numbers (a >b).
Satisfied
(LHR 2017) (U.B + A.B)
So, given measures form a right
angled triangle. Solution:
(ii) (GRW 2016, FSD 2017, MTN 2013, 16, Let a  2 and b  1
SWL 2015, SGD 2017)
a 2  b 2   2   1  4  1  5
2 2
a = 1.5cm  a2 = 2.25cm2
b = 2cm  b2 = 4cm2
a 2  b 2   2   1  4  1  3
2 2
c = 2.5cm  c2 = 6.25 cm2
Larger Size is Hypotenuse, So 2ab  2  21  4
c 2  a 2  b2
Putting the values (U.B) Since a 2  b 2 is the largest side so
6.25 = 2.25 + 4 a 2  b 2 will be hypotenuse.
6.25 = 6.25
Satisfied
So, given measures form a right
angled triangle.
(iii) (LHR 2013, 14, 15, 16, GRW 2015, FSD
2014, SWL 2017, SGD 2015, RWP 2017)
a = 9cm  a2 = 81cm2
b = 12cm  b2 = 144cm2
So
c = 15cm  c2 = 225cm2
Larger Size is Hypotenuse, So Triangle is right angled, if
c 2  a 2  b2 a  b2    2ab    a 2  b2 
2 2 2 2

Putting the values (U.B)

225cm2 = 8.1cm + 144cm a 4  b 4  2a 2b 2  4a 2b 2  a 4  b 4  2a 2b 2
225cm2 = 225cm2 a 4  b 4  2a 2b 2  a 4  b 4  2a 2b 2
Satisfied.
L.H.S = R.H.S
So, given measures form a right
angled triangle. It is proved that it is a right angled triangle

MATHEMATICS-9 369
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
370PAGE 1
Q.3 The three sides of a triangle are of 1 1
measure 8, x and 17 respectively. BC = (28)
2 2
For what value of x will it become UN IT–1
1
base of right angled triangle? BC =14
(U.B + A.B) 2
Solution: So
By Pythagoras’ theorem BD  CD  14

 AB   BD   AD

2 2 2

2500  14    AD 
2 2

2500  196   AD 
2

 AB    AC    BC  2500  196   AD 
2 2 2 2

17    x   8
2 2 2

 AD  2304
2

289  x 2  64
289 – 64 = x2 Taking square root on both sides
x2 = 225
 AD
2
 2304
Taking square root on both sides
x2  225 AD  48cm
x = 15 (as length is always positive) (i) Area of ∆ ABC
 base = 15 units Area of ∆ ABC 
1
(base)× (height)
Q.4 In an isosceles ∆, the base 2
1
mBC  28cm and (A.B)  (28) × (48)
2
mAB  mAC  50 cm = (14) × (48)
If AD  BC , then find = 672 cm2
(i) Length of AD Q.5 In a quadrilateral ABCD, the
(ii) Area of ∆ ABC diagonals AC and BD are
perpendicular to each other.
Prove that: (A.B)

 AB   CD   AD    BC 
2 2 2 2

Proof
∆AOB

Solution:
(i) Length of AD
AD  BC
So mBD  mCD
MATHEMATICS-9 370
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
371PAGE 1
 AB   OB   OA a 2   5   h 
2 2 2 2 2
(i)
∆BOC a 2  h 2 UN
25 _______
IT–1 (iii)
Subtracting ii from iii
 BC   OB   OC 
2 2 2
(ii) a 2  h 2  25
∆COD b 2 m h 2  49
CD  OD  OC  a 2  b 2  24
2 2 2
(iii)
a 2  b 2  24 _________ (iv)
∆DOA Adding equation (i) and (iv)
 AD  OA  OD 
2 2 2
(iv) a 2  b 2  144
By adding (i) and (iii) a 2  b 2  24
2a 2  120
 AB   CD   OB   OA  OD   OC 
2 2 2 2 2 2
  v 60
120
By adding (ii) and (iv) a 
2

2
 AD    BC   OB   OC   OA  OD 
2 2 2 2 2 2
  vi 
2
a = 60
a2 = 4 × 15
By comparing (v) and (vi) Taking square root on both sides
 AB   CD   AD    BC 
2 2 2 2
a 2  4 15
Hence proved a  2 15
Q.6 In the ∆ABC as shown in the Putting the value of a in equation (i)
 2 15 
2
figure, mACB=90° and CD  AB .  b2  144
Find the length a, h and b if
4 15  b 2  144
mBD  5 units and mAD  7 units. 60 + b2 = 144
(A.B)
b 2  144  60
b 2  84
b 2  4  21
Taking square root on both sides
b2  4  21
b  2 21
Putting the value of b in equation (ii)
∆ACB
 2 21
2
 h2  49
 7  5   b    a 
2 2 2

4  21  49  h 2
a  b  12 
2 2 2
h2 = 84 – 49
a 2  b 2  144 ______ (i) h2 = 35
∆ADC Taking square root on both sides
h  35
b   7   h
2 2 2

Result:
b 2  h 2  49 ________ (ii)
a  2 15 , b  2 21 and h  35
∆CDB

MATHEMATICS-9 371
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
372PAGE 1
(i) Find the value of x in the shown ∆ABC is right angle triangle
 AB  UN
 BCIT–1
   AC
2 2 2
figure. (A.B)
From ∆ADC
 AC    DC    AD  AB  500  300
2 2 2 2 2 2

 AB 
In right triangle ADC, 2
 250000  90000
 AC    DC    AD
2 2 2

 AB 
2
 340000
13   5  AD  
2

 AB
2 2
2
 10000  34

  Taking square root on both sides

2
169  25  AD
 AB 
2
 10000  34
 
2
169  25  AD m AB  100 34 m
Q.8 A ladder 17m long rests against a
 
2
AD  144 vertical wall. The foot of the
Taking square root both side ladder is 8m away from the base of
the wall. How high up the wall will
 AD  144 
2
 the ladder reach? (SWL 2014) (A.B)
By Pythagoras theorem
AD  12 cm
From ∆ ADB
 AB    BD   AD  
2 2 2

15  x 2  12 
2 2

225  x 2  144
225  144  x 2
x 2  81
Taking square on both sides
 AC    AB    BC 
2 2 2
x2  81
x  9 cm
17   8   BC 
2 2 2
Q.7 A plane is at a height of 300m and
is 500m away from the airport as
289  64   BC 
2
shown in the figure How much
distance will it travel to land at the
284  64   BC 
2
airport? (A.B)

MATHEMATICS-9 372
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
373PAGE 1
 BC  AB  CE  2km
2
 225
Taking square root on both sides BC  AEUN
 6IT–1
km
DE  DC  CE
 BC 
2
 225
 We get triangle
BC  15m ∆ ADE which is right angled triangle
The height of wall  BC  15m  AD   AE    ED
2 2 2

Q.9 A student travels to his school by

 AD   6  3  2
2 2 2
the route as shown in the figure.
Find mAD , the direct distance
 AD  36  5
2 2
from his house to school. (A.B)

 AD  36  25
2

 AD  61
2

Taking square root on both sides

 AD 
2
 61

Solution: mAD  61 km
As we know that in rectangle Therefore, Distance between school
opposite sides are equal. So
and home is 61 km .

Review Exercise 15
Q.1 Which of the following are true and which are false? (A.B + U.B + K.B)
(i) In a right angled triangle greater angle is of 90°. (True)
(ii) In a right angled triangle right angle is of 60°. (False)
(iii) In a right triangle hypotenuse is a side opposite to right angle. (True)
(iv) If a,b,c are sides of right angled triangle with c as longer side, then c
c 2  a 2  b2 . (True)
(v) If 3cm and 4cm are two sides of a right angled triangle, the hypotenuse is 5cm. (True)
(vi) If hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is 2 cm then each of other side is of
length 2cm. (False)
Q.2 Find the unknown value in each of the following figures. (A.B)
(i) (LHR 2016, 17, SWL 2016, BWP 2016, 17, RWP 2017, D.G.K 2014, 16)
By Pythagoras’ theorem
(Hypotenuse)2 = (Base)2 + (Perpendicular)2
(x)2 = (3)2 + (4)2
MATHEMATICS-9 373
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
374PAGE 1
x2 = 9 + 16
2
x = 25
Taking square root on both sides UN IT–1
x2  25
x  5 cm
(ii) (LHR 2017, GRW 2013, 16, SWL 2017, FSD 2015, 17, MTN 2016, D.G.K 2013)
By Pythagoras theorem (A.B)
 Hypotenuse    Base    Perpendicular 
2 2 2

10    x    6
2 2 2

100  x 2  36
100  36  x 2
x 2  64
Taking square root on both sides
x2  64
x  8 cm
(iii) (FSD 2017, RWP 2017, SWL 2015, D.G.K 2016)
By Pythagoras theorem (A.B)
 Hypotenuse    Base    Perpendicular 
2 2 2

13   5   x 
2 2 2

169  25  x 2
169  25  x 2
x 2  144
Taking square root on both sides
x2  144
x  12 cm
(iv) (RWP 2016, D.G.K 2015)
By Pythagoras theorem (A.B)
 Hypotenuse    base    Perpendicular 
2 2 2

   1   x 
2 2 2
2
2 = 1 + x2
2 – 1 = x2
x2 = 1
Taking square root on both sides
x2  1
x = 1cm

MATHEMATICS-9 374
  Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
CUT HERE 375PAGE 1
SELF TEST
Time: 40 min UN IT–1 Marks: 25
Q.1 Mark the Correct multiple choice question. (7×1=7)

1 Which of the following is trichotomy property of real number:

(A) mAB  mBC (B) mAB  mBC
(C) mAB  mBC (D) None of these
2 Which of following set of lengths can be the lengths of the sides of a triangle.
(A) 2 cm, 3 cm, 5 cm (B) 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm
(C) 2 cm, 4 cm, 7 cm (D) 4 cm, 3 cm, 7 cm
3 Two sides of a triangle measure 10 cm and 15 cm. which of the following measure is
possible for the third side
(A) 5 cm (B) 20 cm
(C) 25 cm (D) 30 cm
4 In the figure, P is any point lying away from the line AB. Then mPL will be
shortest distance if

(A) mPLA = 80o (B) mPLB = 100o

(C) mPLA = 90o (D) mPLA = 70o
5 If a line segment intersects the two sides of a triangle in the same ratio then it is
___________ to the third side
(A) Perpendicular (B) Parallel
(C) Intersecting (D) Similar
6 In ABC as shown in the figure, CD bisects C and meets AB at D. mBD is equal to:

(A) 5 (B) 16
(C) 10 (D) 18
7 If a2 + b2 > c2 then triangle is called
(A) Acute (B) Obtuse
(C) Scalene (D) Right
8 In a right angled triangle the greatest angle is of
(A) 60o (B) 90o
o
(C) 120 (D) 180o
9 If hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangles is 12 cm then each of other side is of length
(A) 2 (B) 4
(C) 1 (D) 6 2
KIPS NOTES SERIES MATHEMATICS-9 375
Unit – 15 Pythagoras Theorem
376PAGE 1
Q.2 Give Short Answers to following Questions. (5×2=10)
(i) If 13 cm, 12 cm, and 5 cm are the lengths of a triangle, then verify that difference of
UN IT–1
measure of any two sides of a triangle is less then measure of the third side.
(ii) In a triangle ABC, mB = 70o and mC = 45o, which of the sides of the triangle is
longest and which is the shortest?
(iii) The three sides of a triangle are of measure 8, x, and 17 respectively for what value of x
will it become base of a right angled triangle?

(iv) In ABC shown in the figure, CD bisects C. If mAC = 3, mCB = 6 and mAB =7,

then find mAD and mDB

(v) Find the value of x in the shown figure

If AD = 2.4 cm, AE  3.2 cm , DE = 2 cm, BC = 5 cm find AB , DB , AC , CE .

Q.3 Answer the following Questions. (4+4=8)

(a) Define similar triangles.

(b) A ladder 17m long rests against a vertical wall. The foot of the ladder is 8m away from
the base of the wall. How high up the wall will the ladder reach?
Note:

Parents or guardians can conduct this test in their supervision in order to check the skills
of the student.

KIPS NOTES SERIES MATHEMATICS-9 376