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The Pythagorean Theorem

For every right triangle: a² + b² = c² — the two small squares add up to the big one

Change leg a and leg b with − and +. Watch the two small squares' areas add up to the big square.

Leg a

3

Leg b

4

a² (red square)

9

b² (blue square)

16

c² (big square)

25

3² + 4² = 9 + 16 = 25

Hypotenuse c

√25 = 5

✓ the two small squares fill the big square exactly