Intermediate Geometry

Intermediate Geometry explores the properties and relationships of shapes, sizes, and theorems in two and three dimensions.

Advanced Topics

The Pythagorean Theorem and Distance

Right Triangles and Measuring Distance

The Pythagorean Theorem is a key geometric idea for right triangles. It also helps us find the distance between two points in a plane.

The Theorem

If a triangle has a right angle, then: \[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \] where \(a\) and \(b\) are legs, and \(c\) is the hypotenuse.

Distance Formula

To find the distance between \((x_1, y_1)\) and \((x_2, y_2)\): \[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]

Where It's Used

The theorem is useful in navigation, sports (measuring diagonals on fields), and computer graphics for pixel distances.

Key Formula

\[d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2}\]

Examples

  • Finding the shortest path between two points on a map.

  • Calculating the diagonal of a TV screen.

In a Nutshell

The Pythagorean Theorem helps us solve problems involving right triangles and distance.