A Puzzle Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem

Assemble the pieces of the two smaller squares (on a and b) to fill the larger square (on c). puzzle_pyth2.gsp

This page requires a java-enabled Web browser.
These pictures show what the interactive diagram looks like.

The controls to move the puzzle pieces are the three points you see marked "move triangle..." They are actually vectors, shrunk to length 0. If you grab one, the vector will lengthen and determine the distance and direction its piece moves.

If you're having trouble seeing the squares, use the Hide/Show buttons.

In a right triangle with legs a and b and hypoteneuse c,

the area of the square on a a2
added to the area of the square on b + b2
is the area of the square on c. = c2

For more information about how vectors move things around, see this lesson on vectors.

Geometer's Sketchpad sketch by Susan Addington, based on "Puzzled Pythagoras", by D.W. and D.S. Bennett

This is a prototype of JavaSketchpad, a World-Wide-Web component of The Geometer's Sketchpad. Copyright ©1990-1997 by Key Curriculum Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Portions of this work are being funded by the National Science Foundation (awards DMI 9561674 & 9623018).

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