a² + b² = c². For the 3-4-5 triangle: 9 + 16 = 25. The blue and red squares together equal the green square in area.
Table of Pythagorean triples
| a | b | c | a²+b²=c² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 9+16=25 ✓ |
| 5 | 12 | 13 | 25+144=169 ✓ |
| 8 | 15 | 17 | 64+225=289 ✓ |
| 7 | 24 | 25 | 49+576=625 ✓ |
Both big squares are (a+b)×(a+b). Both contain four identical right triangles. What is left over in the left square is c². What is left over in the right square is a²+b². They must be equal.