Learning Outcomes
- Use the distance formula to find the distance between two points in the plane.
- Use the midpoint formula to find the midpoint between two points.
Derived from the Pythagorean Theorem, the distance formula is used to find the distance between two points in the plane. The Pythagorean Theorem, [latex]{a}^{2}+{b}^{2}={c}^{2}[/latex], is based on a right triangle where a and b are the lengths of the legs adjacent to the right angle, and c is the length of the hypotenuse.
The relationship of sides [latex]|{x}_{2}-{x}_{1}|[/latex] and [latex]|{y}_{2}-{y}_{1}|[/latex] to side d is the same as that of sides a and b to side c. We use the absolute value symbol to indicate that the length is a positive number because the absolute value of any number is positive. (For example, [latex]|-3|=3[/latex]. ) The symbols [latex]|{x}_{2}-{x}_{1}|[/latex] and [latex]|{y}_{2}-{y}_{1}|[/latex] indicate that the lengths of the sides of the triangle are positive. To find the length c, take the square root of both sides of the Pythagorean Theorem.
[latex]{c}^{2}={a}^{2}+{b}^{2}\rightarrow c=\sqrt{{a}^{2}+{b}^{2}}[/latex]
It follows that the distance formula is given as
[latex]{d}^{2}={\left({x}_{2}-{x}_{1}\right)}^{2}+{\left({y}_{2}-{y}_{1}\right)}^{2}\to d=\sqrt{{\left({x}_{2}-{x}_{1}\right)}^{2}+{\left({y}_{2}-{y}_{1}\right)}^{2}}[/latex]
We do not have to use the absolute value symbols in this definition because any number squared is positive.
Given endpoints [latex]\left({x}_{1},{y}_{1}\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left({x}_{2},{y}_{2}\right)[/latex], the distance between two points is given by
[latex]d=\sqrt{{\left({x}_{2}-{x}_{1}\right)}^{2}+{\left({y}_{2}-{y}_{1}\right)}^{2}}[/latex]
Find the distance between the points [latex]\left(-3,-1\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(2,3\right)[/latex].
Find the distance between two points: [latex]\left(1,4\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(11,9\right)[/latex].
In the following video, we present more worked examples of how to use the distance formula to find the distance between two points in the coordinate plane.
Let’s return to the situation introduced at the beginning of this section.
Tracie set out from Elmhurst, IL to go to Franklin Park. On the way, she made a few stops to do errands. Each stop is indicated by a red dot. Find the total distance that Tracie traveled. Compare this with the distance between her starting and final positions.
Using the Midpoint Formula
When the endpoints of a line segment are known, we can find the point midway between them. This point is known as the midpoint and the formula is known as the midpoint formula. Given the endpoints of a line segment, [latex]\left({x}_{1},{y}_{1}\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left({x}_{2},{y}_{2}\right)[/latex], the midpoint formula states how to find the coordinates of the midpoint [latex]M[/latex].
[latex]M=\left(\frac{{x}_{1}+{x}_{2}}{2},\frac{{y}_{1}+{y}_{2}}{2}\right)[/latex]
A graphical view of a midpoint is shown below. Notice that the line segments on either side of the midpoint are congruent.
Find the midpoint of the line segment with the endpoints [latex]\left(7,-2\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(9,5\right)[/latex].
Find the midpoint of the line segment with endpoints [latex]\left(-2,-1\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(-8,6\right)[/latex].
The diameter of a circle has endpoints [latex]\left(-1,-4\right)[/latex] and [latex]\left(5,-4\right)[/latex]. Find the center of the circle.
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Assumed Knowledge
- Familiarity with measurement of lengths, angles and area.
- Basic knowledge of congruence and similarity.
- Familiarity with simple geometric proofs.
- Simple geometric constructions.
- Factorisation of whole numbers.
- Simple surd notation.
Motivation
Is there a simple relationship between the length of the sides of a triangle? Apart from the fact that the sum of any two sides is greater than the third, there is, in general, no simple relationship between the three sides of a triangle.
Among the set of all triangles, there is a special class, known as right-angled triangles or right triangles that contain a right angle. The longest side in a right-angled triangle is called the hypotenuse. The word is connected with a Greek word meaning to stretch because the ancient Egyptians discovered that if you take a piece of rope, mark off 3 units, then 4 units and then 5 units, this can be stretched to form a triangle that contains a right angle. This was very useful to the Egyptian builders.
This raises all sorts of questions. What is so special about the lengths 3, 4 and 5? Are there other sets of numbers with this property? Is there a simple relationship between the lengths of the sides in a right-angled triangle? Given the lengths of the sides of a triangle, can we tell whether or not the triangle is right angled?
Most adults remember the mathematical formula
c2 = a2 + b2
or perhaps
“the square on the hypotenuse is the sum of the squares on the other two sides.”
The first version uses an implied standard notation, the second version uses archaic language but both are Pythagoras’ theorem. This theorem enables us to answer the questions raised in the previous paragraph.
The discovery of Pythagoras’ theorem led the Greeks to prove the existence of numbers that could not be expressed as rational numbers. For example, taking the two shorter sides of a right triangle to be 1 and 1, we are led to a hypotenuse of length
Triples of integers such as (3, 4, 5) and (5, 12, 13) which occur as the side lengths of right-angled triangles are of great interest in both geometry and number theory − they are called Pythagorean triples. We find all of them in this module.
Pythagoras’ theorem is used in determining the distance between two points in both
two and three dimensional space. How this is done is outlined in the Links Forward section of this module.
Pythagoras’ theorem can be generalised to the cosine rule and used to establish Heron’s formula for the area of a triangle. Both of these are discussed in the Links Forward section.
CONTENT
Standard notation
Let ABC be a triangle. We may write
Then by convention, a is length of the interval BC.
We also talk about angle A or
So a is the length of the side opposite angle A.
Using this notation we can succinctly state Pythagoras’ theorem and two of the most important theorems in trigonometry, the sine rule and the cosine rule. The sine rule and cosine rule are established in the Links Forward section.
Right-angled triangles
We also talk about the shorter sides of a right-angled triangle.
above and assume C = 90°.
If a and b are fixed then c is determined.
Also a < c, b < c and c < a + b.
(See the module, Congruence)
The theorem
A triangle with sides 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm is a right-angled triangle. Similarly, if we draw a right-angled triangle with shorter sides 5 cm, 12 cm and measure the third side, we find that the hypotenuse has length ‘close to’ 13 cm. To understand the key idea behind Pythagoras’ theorem, we need to look at the squares of these numbers.
You can see that in a 3, 4, 5 triangle, 9 + 16 = 25 or 32 + 42 = 52 and in the 5, 12, 13 triangle,
25 + 144 = 169 or 52 + 122 = 132.
We state Pythagoras’ theorem:
- The square of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares
of the lengths of the other two sides. - In symbols c2 = a2 + b2.
EXAMPLE
Solution
Let x be the length of the hypotenuse. Then by Pythagoras’ theorem,
x2 = 122+ 162 = 400. So x = 20.
Proof of the theorem
A mathematical theorem is a logical statement, ‘If p then q’ where p and q are clauses involving mathematical ideas. The converse of ‘If p then q’ is the statement, ‘If q then p’.
The converse may or may not be true but certainty needs a separate proof.
Converse of Pythagoras’ theorem: If c2 = a2 + b2 then
There are many proofs of Pythagoras’ theorem.
Proof 1 of Pythagoras’ theorem
For ease of presentation let
to
From the left hand diagram
(a + b)2 = a2 + b2 + 4
From the right hand diagram
(a + b)2 = 4
Comparing the two equations we obtain c2 = a2 + b2 and the theorem is proved.
Several other proofs of Pythagoras’ theorem are given in the Appendix.
click for screencast
EXERCISE 1
Find the hypotenuse of the right angled triangles whose other sides are:
a 5, 12 b 9, 12 c 35, 12
d 15, 8 e 15, 20 f 15, 112
Note: Clearly one can use a calculator and reduce each of the above calculations to half a dozen keystrokes. This leads to no insights at all. As a suggestion, if a perfect square is between 4900 and 6400 then the number is between 70 and 80. If the last digit of the square is 1 then the number ends in a 1 or a 9, etc.
Applications of Pythagoras’ theorem
EXAMPLE
What is its width?
Solution
Let b be the width, measured in cm. Then
172 | = 82 + b2 | (Pythagoras’ theorem) | ||
289 | = 64 + b2 | |||
b2 | = 289 − 64 | |||
= 225, | ||||
so b = 15. |
The width of the rectangle is 15 cm.
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EXERCISE 2
What is the distance between the foot of the ladder and the wall?
The Converse theorem
We now come to the question:
Given the lengths of the sides of a triangle, can we tell whether or not the
triangle is right angled?
This is answered using the converse of Pythagoras’ theorem.
The converse theorem says:
If a2 + b2 = c2 then the triangle is right angled (with right angle at C).
Thus, for example, a triangle with sides 20, 21, 29 is right angled since
202 + 212 | = 400 + 441 | |
= 841 | ||
= 292 |
The obvious question, which we shall answer later in this module, is can we find all such ‘Pythagorean triples of whole numbers’?
We shall give two proofs of the converse − rather different in nature. However, both use the theorem itself in the proof! This does not often happen in elementary mathematics but is quite common in more advanced topics.
First proof of the converse
Construct a second triangle DEF
with
and DF = b.
Then, by Pythagoras’ theorem,
ED2 = a2 + b2.
But c2 = a2 + b2 so ED = c. Hence
So,
Second proof of the converse
Drop the perpendicular from B to AC,
assume D is between A and C.
Clearly x < a and y < b so
c2 | = x2 + y2 | (Pythagoras’ theorem) | |
< a2 + b2 = c2 |
This is a contradiction, so C = D or D is to the left of C on the line AC.
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EXERCISE 3
Work out the details of the proof when D is to the left of C on the line AC.
EXAMPLE
Which of the triangles below are right-angled triangles?
Name the right angle in each case.
a | b |
Solution
a Triangle ABC is not a right-angled triangle since 142 + 272 ≠ 322.
b Triangle DEF is a right-angled triangle since 152 + 362 = 392.
Irrational numbers
Consider the sequence
This sequence of positive real numbers is strictly increasing and
A right-angled triangle with equal side lengths is an isosceles triangle. Hence the angles are 45°, 45° and 90°. If the length of a side is 1 then the hypotenuse is of length
Next we consider the right-angled triangle with shorter sides 1 and
Using the above constructions it follows that a length where n is a whole number greater than 1, can be constructed using just ruler and compass (see module, Constructions).
Since 1 <
When irrational numbers occur in problems involving Pythagoras’ theorem, we can either
- leave the answer in symbolic form, for example (= 2) or
- approximate the answer using a calculator, for example 2≈ 4.90
(to two decimal places).
EXAMPLE
Find the length, correct to 2 decimal places,
of the missing side in the right triangle opposite.
solution
By Pythagoras’ theorem,
x2 + | 52 | = 72 | ||
x2 + | 25 | = 49 | ||
x2 | = 24 | |||
x | = | |||
= 2 | ||||
≈ 4.90 | (correct to two decimal places) |
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EXERCISE 4
A cross-country runner runs 3km west, then 2km south and then 8km east. How far is she from her starting point? Give your answer in kilometres and correct to 2 decimal places.
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EXERCISE 5
Find the exact length of the long diagonal in a cube of side length 3 cm.
Pythagorean triads
Three whole numbers that are the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle are called a Pythagorean Triad or Pythagorean Triple. Thus, {3, 4, 5} is a Pythagorean Triad.
The formula for how to generate such triples was known by about 2000BC. This is “proved” by a clay tablet (Plimpton 322) which contains fifteen different triples including (1679, 2400, 2929) The tablet is dated to 1800 BC. With your calculator check this is a Pythagorean triple. This was obviously not found by chance!
Starting with (3, 4, 5) we can find or construct infinitely many such triples by taking integer multiples:
(3, 4, 5), (6, 8, 10), (9, 12, 15), …..
Consider a triple (a, b, c) of positive whole numbers with a2 + b2 = c2. If a and b have a common factor then it also divides c. So a useful definition is that the Pythagorean triple (a, b, c) is primitive if, HCF (a, b) = HCF (b, c) = HCF (a, c) = 1 that is, the highest common factor of a and b is 1, etc. If we can find all primitive Pythagorean triples then we can find all triples by simply taking whole number multiples of the primitive triples.
There are various families of examples. Consider the identity:
(n + 1)2 − n2 = 2n + 1
So if 2n + 1 is a perfect square then we can construct a primitive triple (
(3, 4, 5); (5, 12, 13); (7, 24, 25); (9, 40, 41),….
It is possible to list all primitive triples. One form of this ‘classification’ is in the following theorem. We shall prove it using some elementary number theory including the use of the fundamental theorem of arithmetic and the use of the HCF. The symbol | is used for ‘divides exactly into’. The result gives a formula for all primitive Pythagorean Triads.
Theorem
If a2 + b2 = c2 and (a, b, c) is a primitive triad then a = p2 − q2, b = 2pq and
c = p2 + q2 where the HCF of p and q is 1 and p and q are not both odd.
Proof
At least one of a, b and c is odd since the triad is primitive.
The square of a whole number is either a multiple of 4 or one more than a multiple
of 4, hence a and b cannot both be odd.
So we may assume a is odd, b is even and c is odd.
c2 = a2 + b2 so b2 = c2 − a2 = (c − a)(c + a)
Let d be the HCF of c − a and c + a, so d|c −a and d|c + a so d|2c and d|2a
But a and c are coprime so d = 1 or 2 but c − a and c + a are even. So d = 2
Hence we have
Set
Finally if p and q are odd then a and c are even which is not the case.
So the theorem is proved.
EXAMPLE
22 − 12 = 3, 2 × 2 × 1 = 4 and 22 + 12 = 5 so the triple (3, 4, 5) corresponds to (p, q) = (2, 1)
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EXERCISE 6
Investigate:
a (p, q) = (2, 1), (3, 2), (4, 3), …..
b (p, q) = (4, 1), (5, 2), (6, 3), (7, 4), …..
c (p, q) = (2, 1), (4, 1), (6, 1), (8, 1), …..
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EXERCISE 7
Find the values of p and q corresponding to the triple (1679, 2400, 2929) from the clay tablet Plimpton 322. The largest triple on Plimpton 322 is (12 709, 13 500, 18 541) − find p and q in this case as well.
LINKS FORWARD
The distance formula in R2 (The coordinate plane)
Suppose that A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) are two points
in the plane.
Consider the right-angled triangle AXB where
X is the point (x2, y1). Then
AX | = x2 − x1 or x1 − x2 and | |
BX | = y2 − y1 or y1 − y2 |
depending on the relative positions of A and B.
By Pythagoras’ theorem
AB2 | = AX2 + BX2 |
= (x2 − x1)2 + (y2 − y1)2 |
Therefore AB = BA =
Distances in three-dimensional space
The distance d from (0, 0) to (x, y) in the coordinate plane satisfies d2 = x2 + y2.
It is possible to go from O to any point P by ‘moving’
a units along the x-axis, then b units parallel to the
y-axis and then c units parallel to the z-axis.
We say the coordinates of the point P are (a, b, c).
Again a basic question is ‘What is the distance OP?’ The answer is
OP2 = a2 + b2 + c2.
To see this, let A = (a, 0, 0) and B = (a, b, 0). The triangle OAB is right-angled at A.
Hence OB2 = OA2 + AB2 = a2 + b2.
Next OBP is right−angled at B so OP2 = OB2 + BP2 = a2 + b2 + c2.
Circles in the plane, centre the origin
A circle is the path traced out by a point moving a fixed distance from a fixed point
called the centre.
First suppose we draw a circle in the Cartesian plane centre the origin and radius 1
and suppose (x, y) is on this circle.
Then by Pythagoras’ theorem (or the distance formula in R2)
x2 + y2 = 12
Conversely, if x2 + y2 = 1 then the point (x, y) lies on the circle of radius 1.
Similarly, if x2 + y2 = r2 then (x, y) lies on the circle, centre the origin, of radius r and conversely all points on this circle satisfy the equation.
Pythagoras’ theorem in trigonometry
Now by definition cosθ =
By Pythagoras’ theorem, a2 + b2 = c2. Therefore
Hence, one of the most fundamental identities in trigonometry.
cos2 θ + sin2θ = 1
There are 2 important formulas linking the side lengths
of a triangle and the angles of the triangle.
Theorem − The cosine rule
Then a2 = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A
Proof
divides AB into intervals of length x and y
By Pythagoras’ theorem
b2 = h2 + x2 and
a2 = h2 + y2
Also c = x + y so, eliminating h2
a2 − b2 | = y2 − x2 | |||
a2 | = b2 + c2 − (x + y)2 + y2 − x2 | |||
= b2 + c2 − 2x2 − 2xy | ||||
= b2 + c2 − 2x(x + y) | ||||
Now | x | = b cos A and x + y = c so | ||
a2 | = b2 + c2 − 2bc cos A |
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EXERCISE 8
Show that the cosine rule is still true when
Theorem − The sine rule
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EXERCISE 9
Write down expressions for sin A and sin B and hence prove the sine rule.
Apollonius’ theorem and Heron’s formula
Euclid’s Elements was written about 300BC. As discussed elsewhere in these modules this amazing set of thirteen books collected together most of the geometry and number theory known at that time. During the next century Apollonius and Archimedes developed mathematics considerably. Apollonius is best remembered for his study of ellipses, parabolas and hyperbolas. Archimedes is often ranked as one of the most important mathematicians of all time. He carried out a number of calculations, which anticipated ideas from integral calculus. In this section we discuss Heron’s formula that scholars believe was discovered by Pythagoras.
We shall prove Apollonius’ theorem and Heron’s formula which both follow from Pythagoras’ theorem using algebra.
Apollonius’ theorem
Suppose
b2 + c2 = 2x2 + 2m2
Proof
Let length of the altitude AE be h. Also let CE = t, ED = s.
Clearly s + t = x and there are three right-angled triangles so
m2 = h2 + s2
c2 = h2 + (s + x)2
b2 = h2 + t2
Taking into account the formula to be proved we consider
c2 + b2 − 2m2 | = h2 + (s + x)2 + h2 + t2 − 2h2 −2s2 |
= s2 + 2sx + x2 + t2 − 2s2 | |
= x2 + 2sx + t2 − s2 | |
= x2 + 2sx + (t + s)(t − s) | |
= x2 + 2sx + (t − s)x | |
= x2 + sx + tx | |
= 2x2 | |
That is, b2 + c2 | = 2m2 + 2x2 |
In the above diagram we asumed then
click for screencast
EXERCISE 10
Use the cosine rule to write m2 in
Deduce Apollonius’ theorem in a couple of steps.
Heron’s formula
This is an amazing formula expressing the area of a triangle in terms of its side lengths.
To write this in its standard form consider a
We let 2s = a + b + c and let
of the triangle). Then
We give a proof that uses only Pythagoras’ theorem, the formula for the area of a triangle and some algebra.
Proof
Then x + y = c.
The area of a triangle is half base times height so
Pythagoras’ theorem gives
a2 = h2 + x2 (2)
b2 = h2 + y2 = h2 + (c − x)2 (3)
We must eliminate h and x from equations (1), (2) and (3). This is non-trivial!
(2) − (3) a2 − b2 = h2 + x2 − h2 − (c − x)2 | |
a2 − b2 = 2cx − c2 | |
2cx = a2 + c2 − b2 (4) |
Next (2) gives
substitute into (1)
4 | |
16 |
Square (4) and substitute into (5)
16 | = (2ca)2 − (a2 + c2 − b2)2 |
This is the difference of two squares, so
16 | = (2ca + a2 + c2 − b2)(2ca − a2 − c2 + b2) | |
= ((a + c)2 − b2)(b2 − (a − c)2) | ||
= (a + c + b)(a + c − b)(b + a − c)(b − a + c) | ||
= 2s(2s − 2b)(2s − 2c)(2s − 2a) |
So |
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EXERCISE 11
Find the areas of the triangles with side lengths:
a 13, 14, 15 b 13, 20, 21 c 10, 17, 21 d 51, 52, 53
HISTORY
As outlined above, the theorem, named after the sixth century BC Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, is arguably the most important elementary theorem in mathematics, since its consequences and generalisations have wide ranging applications.
It is often difficult to determine via historical sources how long certain facts have been known. However, in the case of Pythagoras’ theorem there is a Babylonian tablet, known as Plimpton 322, that dates from about 1700BC. This tablet lists fifteen Pythagorean triples including (3, 4, 5), (28, 45, 53) and (65, 72, 97). It does not include (5, 12, 13) or (8, 15, 17) but it does include (12 709, 13 500, 18 541)! The fifteen triples correspond (very roughly) to angles between 30° and 45° in the right-angled triangle. The Babylonian number system is base 60 and all of the even sides are of the form 2a 3b 5c presumably to facilitate calculations in base 60. Most historical documents are found as fragments and one could call this the Rosetta Stone of mathematics. Whichever interpretation of the purpose of Plimpton 322 is correct, and there are several, it is clear that both Pythagoras’ theorem and how to construct Pythagorean Triples was known well before 1700BC.
The nature of mathematics began to change about 600 BC. This was closely linked to the rise of the Greek city states. There was constant trade and hence ideas spread freely from the earlier civilisations of Egypt and Babylonia. Most of the history is lost forever, but tradition has it the Thales, Pythagoras and their students, were responsible for developing many of the key ideas − in particular the need to prove theorems! What we do know is what was known at about 300BC. This is because Euclid of Alexandria wrote his thirteen volume book the Elements. Contrary to popular belief, this book is by no means solely about geometry.
Book 1 of the Elements is on geometry and attempts to set geometry on a sound logical basis by giving some twenty-three definitions and lists five postulates and five common notions. This axiomatic approach, although flawed and incomplete gave a logical approach to the study of geometry which was a central part of a classical education right up to the twentieth century. The imperfections of Euclid were not fixed until 1900 when David Hilbert gave a modern correct system of axioms. In Book 1 of Euclid a number of theorems are proved such as the well-known result that in an isosceles triangle the base angles are equal. The final theorem, Proposition 1-47, is Pythagoras’ theorem. The proof given is not the easiest known at the time, but uses only congruence and other results proved in Book 1. Euclid’s Elements are very sophisticated.
APPENDIX
Other proofs of Pythagoras’ theorem
There are hundreds of proofs of Pythagoras’ theorem −
one attributed to Napoleon and one attributed to a 19th century US president!
We shall present a few more including Euclid’s proof.
Second proof
The large square is a + b by a + b so
(a + b)2 = 4
a2 + 2ab + b2 = 4
or c2 = a2 + b2.
Third proof
The side length of the inner square is b − a
Hence
(b − a)2 + 4
a2 − 2ab + b2 + 2ab = c2
a2 + b2 = c2
and we have another proof of Pythagoras’ theorem.
The first three proofs are essentially based on congruence of triangles, partially disguised as sums of areas. Some proofs use similarity. One of the nicest or perhaps minimalist proofs comes from considering, a simple diagram which contains three triangles all similar to each other.
Fourth proof
We take an arbitrary right-angled triangle ABC with
CD is perpendicular to AB and x + y = c
That is,
That is,
That is,
From the second group of equations we obtain (by cross multiplication)
b2 = y(x + y)
Similarly, from the third group we obtain
a2 = x(x + y)
Hence
a2 + b2 | = x(x + y) + y(x + y) | |
= (x + y)2 | ||
= c2 |
and the proof is complete.
We draw squares of areas a2, b2 and c2 adjacent to the sides of the triangle ABC.
From | b2 = y(x + y) = yc in the previous proof | |
y = | ||
From | a2 = x(x + y) = xc in the previous proof | |
x = |
The area of the shaded rectangle is
cx =
and the other rectangle is
cy =
So we have divided the square, area c2 , into two rectangles of area a2 and b2. This is the key idea in Euclid’s proof.
Fifth proof: Euclid’s proof
of half the area of the two regions.
Here are the details:
since
EA | = AC | (sides of a square) | |
AB | = AG | (sides of a square) | |
| = | (equal to 90° + |
Hence area
area ACDE = 2 × area
Similarly, area AGHF = 2 × area
area AGFH = area ACDE = b2.
In a similar way it can be shown that area BHFI = a2 and the theorem is proved.
Answers to exercises
EXERCISE 1
a 13 b 15 c 37 d 17 e 25 f 113
EXERCISE 2
90 cm
EXERCISE 3
Let DC = y where D is the point on AC produced so that BD is perpendicular to AC produced. Let BD = x.
Assume c2 = a2 + b2
Using Pythagoras’ theorem in triangle BDC: a2 = x2 + y2.
Using Pythagoras’ theorem in triangle BDA: c2 = x2 + (y + b)2.
Use the three equations to show 2by = 0 which is a contradiction.
EXERCISE 4
5.39 km
EXERCISE 5
3
EXERCISE 6
a
p | q | a | b | c |
2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 13 |
4 | 3 | 7 | 24 | 25 |
5 | 4 | 9 | 40 | 41 |
6 | 5 | 11 | 60 | 61 |
7 | 6 | 13 | 84 | 85 |
8 | 7 | 15 | 112 | 113 |
9 | 8 | 17 | 144 | 145 |
10 | 9 | 19 | 180 | 181 |
b
p | q | a | b | c |
4 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 17 |
5 | 2 | 21 | 20 | 29 |
6 | 3 | 27 | 36 | 45 |
7 | 4 | 33 | 56 | 65 |
8 | 5 | 39 | 80 | 89 |
9 | 6 | 45 | 108 | 117 |
10 | 7 | 51 | 140 | 149 |
11 | 8 | 57 | 176 | 185 |
12 | 9 | 63 | 216 | 225 |
13 | 10 | 69 | 260 | 269 |
c
p | q | a | b | c |
2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
4 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 17 |
6 | 1 | 35 | 12 | 37 |
8 | 1 | 63 | 16 | 65 |
10 | 1 | 99 | 20 | 101 |
EXERCISE 7
p = 48 and q = 25 and p = 125 and q = 54.
EXERCISE 8
Let D be the point on BA produced so that CD is perpendicular to BA produced.
Let CD = h and DA = x.
Use Pythagoras’ theorem twice:
b2 = h2 + x2 and a2 = h2 + (x + c)2. Eliminate h and substitute x = b cos(180 − A) = −b cos A to obtain the result.
EXERCISE 9
Use h = b sin A = a sin B so
EXERCISE 10
m2 = b2 + x2 − 2bx cos C and c2 = b2 + 4x2 − 4bx cos C.
Multiply the first equation by 2 and subtract the second equation to obtain the result.
EXERCISE 11
a 84 b 126 c 84 d 1170
The Improving Mathematics Education in Schools (TIMES) Project 2009-2011 was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
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