Pythagorean Triples Calculator

Enter three numbers to check for Pythagorean triples, or input two sides to calculate the third side.

Pythagorean Triples Check or Calculate

What Are Pythagorean Triples?

Pythagorean triples are three positive integers \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) that satisfy the Pythagorean theorem: \( c^2 = a^2 + b^2\) Here, \(c\) is the hypotenuse (the longest side), and \(a\) and \(b\) are the two legs of a right triangle. If this relationship holds true, the three numbers are considered a Pythagorean triple.

How to Check for Pythagorean Triples

  1. Ensure all three numbers are positive integers.
  2. Verify if they satisfy the equation \(c^2 = a^2 + b^2\).

How to Calculate the Missing Side

To calculate the hypotenuse (\(c\)) when both legs (\(a\) and \(b\)) are known: \( c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \)

To calculate one leg (\(b\)) when the other leg (\(a\)) and the hypotenuse (\(c\)) are known: \( b = \sqrt{c^2 - a^2} \)

Examples

Example 1: Are 3, 4, and 5 a Pythagorean triple?

Verify:

\( 3^2 + 4^2 = 9 + 16 = 25 \)

\( 5^2 = 25 \)

\( 3^2 + 4^2 = 5^2 \)

Yes, \(3\), \(4\), and \(5\) form a Pythagorean triple.

Example 2: Are 30, 40, and 45 a Pythagorean triple?

Verify:

\( 30^2 + 40^2 = 900 + 1600 = 2500 \)

\( 45^2 = 2025 \)

\( 30^2 + 40^2 \neq 45^2 \)

No, \(30\), \(40\), and \(45\) do not form a Pythagorean triple.

Example 3: Calculate the missing side for \(a = 6\) and \(b = 8\).

Solution:

Hypotenuse (\(c\)):

\(c = \sqrt{6^2 + 8^2} = \sqrt{36 + 64} = \sqrt{100} = 10\)

The hypotenuse is \(10\), forming a Pythagorean triple \(6, 8, 10\).

Alternate case (other leg, not the hypotenuse):

\(c = \sqrt{8^2 - 6^2} = \sqrt{64 - 36} = \sqrt{28} = 5.29\)

It is not an integer and cannot be a Pythagorean trigon.

Common Pythagorean Triples List

  • (3, 4, 5)
  • (5, 12, 13)
  • (6, 8, 10)
  • (7, 24, 25)
  • (8, 15, 17)
  • (9, 40, 41)
  • (10, 24, 26)
  • (11, 60, 61)
  • (12, 16, 20)
  • (12, 35, 37)
  • (13, 84, 85)
  • (15, 20, 25)
  • (16, 63, 65)
  • (17, 144, 145)
  • (18, 24, 30)
  • (19, 180, 181)
  • (20, 21, 29)
  • (20, 99, 101)
  • (21, 220, 221)
  • (23, 264, 265)
  • (28, 45, 53)
  • (33, 56, 65)
  • (48, 55, 73)
  • (36, 77, 85)
  • (39, 80, 89)
  • (65, 72, 97)