Pythagoras GCSE questions
Pythagoras questions GCSE: find a missing side in a right-angled triangle. a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.
Which side?
The hypotenuse is opposite the right angle and is the longest side. If you are finding a shorter side, subtract after squaring.
Practice questions
Cover the answers and have a go first. Worked solutions are underneath.
Legs 3 and 4. Hypotenuse?
Legs 5 and 12. Hypotenuse?
Hypotenuse 10, one leg 6. Other leg?
Is a triangle with sides 6, 8, 11 right-angled?
A 9 m ladder reaches 8 m up a wall. How far is the base from the wall? 1 d.p.
Common mistakes
- Adding when you should subtract to find a shorter side.
- Forgetting to square-root at the end.
Answers and working
Frequently asked questions
Full method?
See the Pythagoras lesson for labelled diagrams and 3-4-5 triples.
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