Demonstrating Pythagoras' theorem
I can appreciate there is a relationship between the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle.
Demonstrating Pythagoras' theorem
I can appreciate there is a relationship between the lengths of the sides of a right-angled triangle.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A visual approach can help you understand the structure behind Pythagoras' theorem.
- There is a difference between proof and demonstration.
- A demonstration would be showing Pythagoras' theorem works for specific right-angled triangles.
- A proof is generalised i.e. using four congruent triangles arranged in a particular way inside a square.
- The sum of the squares of the two shorter sides equals the square of the longest side.
Keywords
Pythagoras' theorem - Pythagoras’ theorem shows that the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides of a right-angled triangle is equal to the square of its longest side (the hypotenuse).
Common misconception
Pythagoras' theorem is just a relationship between the three sides of a right-angled triangle.
Whilst this is true, Pythagoras' theorem can more visually be represented as three squares whose sides are equal in length to the three sides of the triangle. The sum of the areas of the two smaller squares is equal to the area of the larger square.
To help you plan your year 9 maths lesson on: Demonstrating Pythagoras' theorem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 maths lesson on: Demonstrating Pythagoras' theorem, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 maths lessons from the Geometrical properties: similarity and Pythagoras' theorem unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
5 squared -
25
the square of 4 -
16
12² -
144
20 × 20 -
400
$$\sqrt{4}$$ -
2
$$\sqrt{25}$$ -
5
Exit quiz
6 Questions
