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Pythagorean Theorem Calculator

Find the missing side of a right triangle using a² + b² = c²

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Right Triangle: a² + b² = c² (c = hypotenuse)
Leg a Leg b Hypotenuse c

Enter any 2 of the 3 sides. The third side will be calculated.

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Missing Side

About the Pythagorean Theorem Calculator

This calculator solves for the missing side of a right triangle using the Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c². Enter any two side lengths — legs a and b, or one leg and the hypotenuse — and it will compute the third side with a complete step-by-step solution, including the squared values and square root extraction.

The Formula

a² + b² = c²
To find hypotenuse: c = √(a² + b²)
To find leg a: a = √(c² − b²)
To find leg b: b = √(c² − a²)

FAQs

What is the Pythagorean theorem used for?

It is used to find the length of any side of a right triangle when the other two are known. Applications include construction, navigation, computer graphics, and any situation involving right-angle measurements.

Can the Pythagorean theorem work on non-right triangles?

No — the theorem only applies to right triangles. For non-right triangles, the law of cosines (c² = a² + b² − 2ab·cos(C)) is the general form that works for all triangles.