Pythagorian Triangles

There are an infinite number of "pythagorian triples", triplets of integers (a,b,c) where a²+b²=c²

Although there are an infinite number of such triples, there are only a few which you are likely to come across in exams:

• 3,4,5
• 5,12,13
• 8,15,17
• 7,24,25

For every one of these triples you can make an infinite number of multiples, like 6, 8, 10; 9, 12, 15 etc. A triple that is in its lowest terms, with no common divisors, is called primitive.

There is an infinite number of primitive triples like these.

Find out more.