Difference between revisions of "Hypotenuse"

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By the [[Pythagorean theorem]], the length of the hypotenuse of a triangle with legs of length <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> is <math>\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}</math>.
 
By the [[Pythagorean theorem]], the length of the hypotenuse of a triangle with legs of length <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> is <math>\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}</math>.
  
For any right triangle, the hypotenuse is a [[diameter]] of the [[circumcircle]].  It follows that the [[midpoint]] of the hypotenuse of the triangle is the center of the circle.  The converse also holds: if the length of the median of <math>\triangle ABC</math> from <math>C</math> is the same as <math>\frac12 AB</math>, then <math>\triangle ABC</math> is a right triangle with its right angle at <math>C</math>.
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For any right triangle, the hypotenuse is a [[diameter]] of the [[circumcircle]].  It follows that the [[midpoint]] of the hypotenuse of the [[triangle]] is the center of the circle.  The converse also holds: if the length of the median of <math>\triangle ABC</math> from <math>C</math> is the same as <math>\frac12 AB</math>, then <math>\triangle ABC</math> is a right triangle with its right angle at <math>C</math>.
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Latest revision as of 19:02, 15 October 2018

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite the right angle. It is also the longest side of the triangle.

By the Pythagorean theorem, the length of the hypotenuse of a triangle with legs of length $a$ and $b$ is $\sqrt{a^2 + b^2}$.

For any right triangle, the hypotenuse is a diameter of the circumcircle. It follows that the midpoint of the hypotenuse of the triangle is the center of the circle. The converse also holds: if the length of the median of $\triangle ABC$ from $C$ is the same as $\frac12 AB$, then $\triangle ABC$ is a right triangle with its right angle at $C$.

See also

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