Pythagorean triple
A Pythagorean triple is a set of three whole numbers that can be used to make a right-angled triangle! Do you remember learning about right angles, where one side goes straight up and the other side goes straight to the side? Well, we use these three numbers to make a triangle with one of those angles!
Now, those three numbers have to be special - they have to work together to make a triangle that meets the Pythagorean Theorem. This Theorem is a fancy math rule that says that in a right-angled triangle, the length of the longest side (which we call the hypotenuse) squared is the same as the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
For example, let's say we have three whole numbers: 3, 4 and 5. We can make a triangle with these three numbers, and it will be a right-angled triangle! Why? Well, we can take the two smallest numbers, 3 and 4, and square them (which means we multiply them by themselves). That gives us 9 and 16. Now, if we add those two numbers together, we get 25. And what's 5 squared? That's right - it's 25 too! So the three numbers 3, 4 and 5 are a Pythagorean triple!
There are lots of other Pythagorean triples too. Some examples are 5, 12, 13, or 8, 15, 17. They're all special because when we use them to make a triangle, that triangle satisfies the Pythagorean Theorem. Cool, huh?
Now, those three numbers have to be special - they have to work together to make a triangle that meets the Pythagorean Theorem. This Theorem is a fancy math rule that says that in a right-angled triangle, the length of the longest side (which we call the hypotenuse) squared is the same as the sum of the squares of the other two sides.
For example, let's say we have three whole numbers: 3, 4 and 5. We can make a triangle with these three numbers, and it will be a right-angled triangle! Why? Well, we can take the two smallest numbers, 3 and 4, and square them (which means we multiply them by themselves). That gives us 9 and 16. Now, if we add those two numbers together, we get 25. And what's 5 squared? That's right - it's 25 too! So the three numbers 3, 4 and 5 are a Pythagorean triple!
There are lots of other Pythagorean triples too. Some examples are 5, 12, 13, or 8, 15, 17. They're all special because when we use them to make a triangle, that triangle satisfies the Pythagorean Theorem. Cool, huh?
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