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- Year 9
Checking and securing understanding of Pythagoras' theorem
I can use Pythagoras' theorem to find the length of any side of a right-angled triangle.
- Year 9
Checking and securing understanding of Pythagoras' theorem
I can use Pythagoras' theorem to find the length of any side of a right-angled triangle.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The sum of the squares of the two shorter sides equals the square of the longest side.
- The longest side is always opposite the right angle.
- a^2+b^2=c^2 can be rearranged to find one of the shorter side lengths.
- If the right-angled triangle is not immediately available, see if you can construct one.
Keywords
Hypotenuse - The hypotenuse is the side of a right-angled triangle which is opposite the right angle.
Pythagoras' theorem - Pythagoras’ theorem states that the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides of a right-angled triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
Common misconception
Pupils may find it initially difficult to see how Pythagoras' theorem can be used when a right-angled triangle is not immediately available.
Encourage pupils to draw their own diagram in cases where there is not one provided. In cases where pairs of coordinates are being used, encourage pupils to draw on horizontal and vertical line segments.
To help you plan your year 9 maths lesson on: Checking and securing understanding of 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: Checking and securing understanding of 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 maths lessons from the Trigonometry unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following statements is true for these triangles?

Q2.Which of these statements is true?
Q3.What is the value of n?

Q4.Which of these statements is true?
Q5.What is the value of n?
