1. What is a Right Triangle Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the hypotenuse of a right triangle using the Pythagorean theorem.

Purpose: It helps students, engineers, and construction professionals quickly determine the length of the hypotenuse when the other two sides are known.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Where:

• \( c \) — Hypotenuse (longest side)
• \( a \) — First leg of the triangle
• \( b \) — Second leg of the triangle

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 various engineering applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the lengths of both legs (a and b) in meters. Both values must be greater than 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I calculate a leg if I know the hypotenuse and other leg?
A: Yes, you can rearrange the formula to \( a = \sqrt{c^2 - b^2} \).

Q2: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit will work (cm, ft, etc.).

Q3: Does this work for non-right triangles?
A: No, for other triangles you would need to use the Law of Cosines.

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

Q5: Can I calculate area with this?
A: No, but area can be calculated separately as \( \frac{1}{2} \times a \times b \).