1. What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides (the legs).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Where:

• \( a \) — Length of first leg (meters)
• \( b \) — Length of second leg (meters)

Explanation: The theorem applies to all right-angled triangles, allowing calculation of any side if the other two are known.

3. Importance of Hypotenuse Calculation

Details: Calculating the hypotenuse is fundamental in geometry, physics, engineering, and many practical applications like construction and navigation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter lengths of both legs in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the hypotenuse length.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for non-right triangles?
A: No, the Pythagorean theorem only applies to right-angled triangles. For other triangles, use the Law of Cosines.

Q2: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit can be used (cm, inches, etc.) as long as both sides are in the same unit.

Q3: Can I calculate a leg if I know the hypotenuse?
A: Yes, rearrange the formula: \( a = \sqrt{c^2 - b^2} \) where c is the hypotenuse.

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact, though practical measurements of the legs may introduce some error.

Q5: What's the largest triangle this can calculate?
A: In theory, any size, but extremely large numbers may exceed computational limits in the calculator.