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The Pythagorean theorem is used to describe the relationship of the hypotenuse (the longest side) of a right triangle to its other two sides, where a right triangle is described as a three-sided shape where the angle between two of its sides is square, or 90 degrees.
We can use the theorem, for example, to determine the shortest linear distance between one point and another, as long as we know how far to it is away in two directions. To wit:
If I know that an apple is 4 feet to the right of me and 3 feet in front of me, the shortest distance to the apple is directly along the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by joining those two "legs" of the trip. Since the question does not venture into how the theorem is calculated, I will simply leave off with some related comments:
1) It is important to note that there are other theorems for solving triangles. Triangulation, perhaps best attributed in today's age to locating a cell phone making an emergency call, might use the Law of Sines to find the phone. Indeed, the Law of Cosines reduces to the pythagorean theorum when it is used on a right triangle.
2) It is shortsighted to assume that the theorem is only useful in 2-dimensional geometry. It is in fact extremely important in 3D, not only because our games' virtual environments are drawn in triangles (where many video cards rate how many triangles can be drawn per unit of time), but also because engineering depends on a basic understanding of how much force pushes in two directions, which leads to how much it pushes in a third direction. While this is a basic description because we're actually dealing with three dimensions, this theorem is fundamental to such calculations.
3) Related to engineering, it is also possible to determine the heights of things that would be difficult to measure otherwise. It's not practical to drill a hole through the peak of a mountain to its base in order to determine its height by dropping a tape measure down the hole. It is practical to take measurements from some point at the base to a locater at the the top (giving the hypotenuse), determine the horizontal distance from the centerline of the mountain to your position (giving another leg), and rearranging the theorem--using basic rules of algebra--to determine the vertical distance to the top.
4) More advanced math utilize properties of this formula to continue to more interesting problems, but that is outside of the scope of this question. The short answer is: our scientists, engineers, designers, and people of all professions use the theorem to answer some very basic questions about measurements made in their respective fields.
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What jobs use the Pythagorean Theorem?
You would use the Pythagorean Theorem when you are trying to determine the length of a side on a right triangle.ORYou might use the Pythagorean Theorem if you are carpenter or builder. A carpenter might use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse (longest side of the triangle) or the length of the wall or roof. Use can use this methed or theorem in any building situation.
How do architects use the pythagorean theorem?
Architects use the Pythagorean theorem to check distances, heights, etc...that cant be measured
How do you find the pythagorean theorem of a triangle?
The Pythagorean theorem is a2 + b2 = c2. It is used for right triangles. If you know two of the sides, you can use the theorem to find the third side.
Can you use pythagorean theorem to find x on a right triangle?
It depends on what x is and what information you have. For example, if no side lengths are known, the Pythagorean theorem is not going to be any use!
When the angle between two displacement vectors is 90 degrees you can use the what theorem?
pythagorean theorem
How do you use a Pythagorean theorem with cube?
You can use pythagorean theorem twice to find the diagonal of a cube
What shape does the Pythagorean theorem use?
The Pythagorean theorem uses the right triangle.
What jobs use the Pythagorean Theorem?
You would use the Pythagorean Theorem when you are trying to determine the length of a side on a right triangle.ORYou might use the Pythagorean Theorem if you are carpenter or builder. A carpenter might use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse (longest side of the triangle) or the length of the wall or roof. Use can use this methed or theorem in any building situation.
How do architects use the pythagorean theorem?
Architects use the Pythagorean theorem to check distances, heights, etc...that cant be measured
Do you use the Pythagorean theorem in singing?
no
What is a theme for a math project?
You could use the Pythagorean Theorem and many triangles You could use the Pythagorean Theorem and many triangles
What jobs do you use pythagorean theorem?
A land surveyor would use this theorem.
Did Newton use the Pythagorean theorem?
yes
Converse of Pythagorean Theorem?
The Pythagorean Theorem allows the mathematician to determine the value of the hypotenuse. The converse of the Pythagorean Theorem manipulates the formula so that the mathematician can use the values to determine that if the triangle is a right triangle.
What countries use Pythagoras theorem?
Most countries recognize the Pythagorean Theorem
Do biological scientists use the Pythagorean theorem?
Yes.
How do you find the pythagorean theorem of a triangle?
The Pythagorean theorem is a2 + b2 = c2. It is used for right triangles. If you know two of the sides, you can use the theorem to find the third side.
