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 use different units besides meters?
A: Yes, as long as both sides use the same unit, the result will be in that same unit.

Q2: What if I know the hypotenuse and one side?
A: Rearrange the formula to \( a = \sqrt{c² - b²} \) to find the missing side.

Q3: How accurate are the results?
A: Results are accurate to 3 decimal places for most practical applications.

Q4: 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.

Q5: Can I calculate angles with this?
A: Not directly, but you can use trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan) with the side lengths to find angles.