Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean Theorem was my favorite part of eighth grade. I like geometry.
Solving for the hypotenuse.
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Solving for a leg.
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Parent Problem
You are going to build a new house and want to make sure the house is square. The dimensions of the house are 62 feet by 74 feet. How can you guarantee the house is built square? Show all your work.
My parents were pretty good at solving this problem. The only thing they forgot was how to use the square root and I had to help them. But my dad knew the Pythagorean Theorem because he builds stuff all the time and he calculates it. I made them show a lot of work though. I kept asking why!
Reflection
It is cool to see how the ancient Egyptians used the Pythagorean theorem to lay out their fields every year after the Nile flooded. I never knew it was possible to use a simple rope and do math. I liked tying knots in the rope and making different triangles with different side lengths in class. I always thought the Pythagorean theorem was hard, but it isn't. It is so easy so many people have proven why it works in so many different ways. President McKinley's way of proving the theorem was my favorite.