Question

Pythagorean triples are given by the formulas x2 - y2, 2xy, and x2 + y2. Use the formulas for the Pythagorean triples to find a right triangle with leg lengths of 16 and an odd number.

Answer 1

Hi,
2xy is even ==>2xy=16==>xy=8 ==>(x=8 and y=1) or (x=4 and y=2)
1) if x=4 and y=2 thenx²=16 and y²=4 x²+y²=16+4=20 is not oddx²-y² =16-4=12 is not also odd: impossible
2) if x=8 and y=1 thenx²=64, y²=1x²+y²=64+1= 65 possiblex²-y²=64-1=63The triple is (63,5,65) and 63²+5²=65²