The Area Meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem
This applet is an investigation of one of the most famous mathematical theorems in history, the Pythagorean Theorem. You will investigate the meaning of the Pythagorean Theorem in a new way. Instead of the conventional meaning, in which you find the lengths of sides of a triangle, you will investigate one of the original thoughts involving this theorem.
To use the applet, you may only move the vertices of the red triangle. The angle shown in the applet may change, so it can be right, acute or obtuse. You will see how this affects the problem.
Please answer the questions below, and we will discuss the meaning of this investigation when you are finished.