8th Grade –4th Six Weeks Pythagorean Theorem
Vocabulary
Estimate – a guess about the size, cost, or quality of something
Exponent – the number of times a number or expression (called base) is used
as a factor of repeated multiplication; also called the power
Hypotenuse – the side opposite the right angle in a right triangle; it is always
the longest side of a right triangle
Irrational Number – a number that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two
integers or as a repeating or terminating decimal; all non-perfect squares are
irrational numbers
Leg – the two sides of a right triangle which for the right angle
Perfect Square – a number that has integers as its square roots
Principal Square Root – the non-negative square root of a number – the only
square root which can be used with the Pythagorean Theorem
Pythagorean Theorem – the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of
the squares of the legs; only applies to right triangles; formula is a2 + b2 = c2
Pythagorean Triples – any three non-zero whole numbers that make the
equation a2 + b2 = c2 true; most common triples are 3-4-5, 5-12-13, and
7-24-25
Right Triangle – a triangle with exactly one right angle
Square Root – the product of a number multiplied by itself; one of two equal
factors of a number