Question

Use the Pythagorean theorem to classify the triangle formed by the three fences. Which is true about the numbers 5, 12, and 13?

Answer 1

The numbers 5, 12 and 13 can be used to correctly identify the sides of a right triangle, and this can be proven by using the Pythagorean Theorem.

5² + 12² = 13²
25 + 144 = 169
169 = 169

5 and 12 are the legs, and 13 is the hypotenuse. Hopefully this is what the question is asking. :)

Answer 2

5² + 12² = 13²

Explanation:

Pythagorean theorem defines the relationship between the 3 sides of a right angled triangle. These are the opposite side, hypotenuse side and the adjacent side.

The theorem states that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the opposite side and the adjacent side is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse such that mathematically,

a² + b² = c²

where a and b are the lengths of the opposite and adjacent side and c is the length of the hypotenuse

Considering the numbers 5, 12 and 13,

5² + 12² = 25 + 144

= 169

= 13²

Hence

5² + 12² = 13²