The Pythagorean Theorem is an important rule in geometry.

It tells us that in a right triangle, the longest side, called the hypotenuse (that’s side (c)), is related to the other two sides (called (a) and (b)).

The equation we use is:

$$c^2 = a^2 + b^2$$

But there are some common mistakes that people make about this theorem:

1. Only for Right Triangles: Some people think this rule works for all types of triangles. However, it only applies to right triangles, which have one angle that is exactly 90 degrees.

2. Measuring Lengths: Many believe you can use any units like feet, inches, or centimeters with this theorem. It’s very important that all three sides (a), (b), and (c) are measured using the same type of unit.

3. Understanding Coordinates: Some students think this theorem only works for real-life measurements and forget that it also applies in coordinate geometry. This means it can help find the distance between points on a graph, like from point ((0,0)) to point ((3,4)).

By understanding these key points, it’s easier to grasp how the Pythagorean Theorem works in geometry.