Applying the Pythagorean Theorem to Find the Length of a Side in a Right-Angle Triangle

To find the length of a side in a right-angled triangle using the Pythagorean theorem, first identify the two sides forming the right angle (usually labeled as 'a' and 'b') and the hypotenuse (labeled as 'c'). The theorem states that the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse:

[a^2 + b^2 = c^2]

Simply plug in the known values for 'a' and 'b', and solve for 'c'. This method is crucial in Grade 11 geometry in South Africa, providing a fundamental tool for solving various math problems.