Pythagorean Theorem Calculator ($a^2 + b^2 = c^2$)
Calculate hypotenuse and leg lengths of right-angled triangles with step-by-step solutions.
TL;DR: Pythagorean Theorem Calculator solves for any side of a right-angled triangle using the fundamental theorem $a^2 + b^2 = c^2$, where $c$ is the hypotenuse.
What Is the Pythagorean Theorem and What Is the Formula for the Hypotenuse?
The Pythagorean Theorem states that in any right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (the longest side opposite the right angle) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a² + b² = c². To solve for hypotenuse: c = √(a² + b²). To solve for a leg: a = √(c² - b²).
How to Use the Pythagorean Theorem Calculator
Our Pythagorean Theorem Calculator performs high-precision mathematical operations directly in your browser with zero latency and complete client-side privacy.
- Select what you are solving for: Hypotenuse ($c$), Leg $a$, or Leg $b$.
- Enter the lengths of the two known triangle sides.
- Click 'Calculate Side' to compute the missing dimension.
- Review the step-by-step squaring, addition/subtraction, and square root operations.
- View triangle perimeter, area, and acute angles in degrees/radians.
Mathematical Formula & Equations
Solves right-triangle hypotenuse $c$ and legs $a, b$ along with interior trigonometric angles.
Calculation Example
With legs $a = 9$ and $b = 12$: $$\text{Hypotenuse } c = \sqrt{9^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{81 + 144} = \sqrt{225} = 15$$
100% Client-Side Privacy & Data Security
All calculations, amortization schedules, variables, and sensitive numerical datasets execute 100% locally in your web browser memory. Your financial, medical, and personal values are never transmitted, logged, or uploaded to any external server.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The formula is `a² + b² = c²`, where `a` and `b` are the two perpendicular legs and `c` is the hypotenuse.
- Pythagorean triples are sets of three positive integers that satisfy the theorem, including (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), (7, 24, 25), and (8, 15, 17).
- No. The Pythagorean theorem strictly applies to right-angled (90°) triangles. For non-right triangles, use the Law of Cosines (`c² = a² + b² - 2ab cos(C)`).
- If the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides (`c² = a² + b²`), the triangle is confirmed right-angled (converse of Pythagorean theorem).
- Use inverse trigonometric functions: `Angle A = arcsin(a / c)` and `Angle B = 90° - Angle A`.
- No. The standard Pythagorean Theorem `a² + b² = c²` applies strictly to right-angled triangles (90°). For acute or obtuse triangles, use the Law of Cosines.
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