Pythagorean Theorem: I Need Help (!!!)

In my class we're going over the pythagorean therom, I'm not totally lost, but I know if I don't do anything now, I'm not going to get an A on the test.

Okay, I know the basics like: a^2 + b^2 = c^2 . . . . but I get confused when I come across a question asking me to find the missing lengths (eg. solve for x), or even worse, the word problems.

Are there any good mathematicians who can help me a bit, please?

@Poster,

Yep! An example will go a long way in helping us understand the particular issues you are having.

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Soln

a                    c



             b
                   

considering the right angled triangle above

Pythagoras theorem has it that
       a*2 + b*2  =  c*2

a = opp
b = adj
c = hyp

Then it is very easy to substitute any of the letters with
Other ones e.g.
You could have x,y,z
X = opp
Y = adj
Z = hyp

So finding missing length is very easy.
If  a = 3 ,c = 5 find b
We know that a*2 + b*2 = c*2
Therefore b*2 = c*2 – a*2
So b = square root of c*2 – a*2
B = the square root of 5*2 - 3*2
B = the square root of 25 – 9 =16
B = square root of 16
B = 4
In a like manner you solve equation concerning right angled triangles

You can solve this type of problems with these simple steps.

Read the question.
Get a pictorial impression of the question.
I.e. draw the diagram
      3.  Identify which is the opp,adj and hyp from the question and label
           Them accordingly.
With the general rule or formula a*2 + b*2 = c*2.Fill in the gaps.
Smash the problem. And get the answer.

Cheers.

Let's see d question.perhaps it's a pythagrean identity question

Some right angle triangles are also isoscelese i.e they have their two other angles equal to 45degrees each. And the opposite and adjacent can not be determined except you are given another angle apart from the right angle. Maybe the question are the ones that involve special angles i.e like 30, 45 and 60 degrees. Me self know maths small now