1. What is the Pythagorean Theorem Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the length of the third side (hypotenuse) of a right triangle when given the other two sides.

Purpose: It helps students, engineers, and construction professionals solve right triangle problems quickly and accurately.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem formula:

Where:

• \( c \) — Length of hypotenuse (longest side)
• \( a \) — Length of one leg
• \( b \) — Length of the other leg

Explanation: The squares of the two shorter sides are added together, and the square root of this sum gives the hypotenuse length.

3. Importance of Right Triangle Calculations

Details: Right triangle calculations are fundamental in geometry, construction, navigation, and many engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the lengths of any two sides in meters. Both values must be > 0. The calculator will compute the third side.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I find a leg if I know the hypotenuse and one leg?
A: Yes, rearrange the formula: \( a = \sqrt{c² - b²} \). Our calculator can be adapted for this.

Q2: Does this work for non-right triangles?
A: No, for other triangles you would need to use the Law of Cosines or Law of Sines.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit will work (cm, ft, etc.).

Q4: How accurate are the results?
A: Results are accurate to 3 decimal places, sufficient for most practical applications.

Q5: Can I use this for 3D right triangles?
A: For 3D (space diagonals), you would extend the theorem: \( d = \sqrt{a² + b² + c²} \).