Problem Solving

12181900 wrote:this is a dumb question but i need to know so that i don't make mistakes in the future.

the first time i saw pythagorean theorem i wanted to square root both sides so that i ended up with a + b = c , like i would with any other algebraic equation.

can anyone please tell me why this is wrong? and should i not do this in the future with similar algerbraic equations?

thanks for your help.

Pythagorean Theorem states that hypotenuse² = sum of the squares of the other two sides
If c = hypotenuse, and a and b are the other two sides, then c² = a² + b²
If you take square root on both sides, then c = √(a² + b²) and not c = a + b.

We can take an example, 5 = hypotenuse and 3 and 4 are the other two sides
Then 5² = 3² + 4²
Taking square root on left hand side = 5
Square root on right hand side = √(3² + 4²) = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5

12181900 wrote:Thanks!

You are welcome.