Pythagorean Theorem in right triangles

In right triangles all right angles have special names. The longest side or the opposite of right angle, is the hypotenuse. The other sides are the legs of the right triangle. The Pythagorean Theorem is an algebraic equation which relates the lengths of all the sides of a right triangle to each other.

The Pythagorean Theorem states that the sum of the squares of each leg is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. With this relationship we can find the leghths of all the sides when only two sides are given.

To use the pythagorean theorem for solving right triangles you have to substitute the given sides into the formula. Then you have to isolate the side you have left. Once you isolate, the square root of each side can by taken.