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The Pythagorean Theorem - Educational Outreach

The Pythagorean Theorem - Educational Outreach

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4 : Construct the parallelogram with area3A as shownwith two sides of length AB and two sides of length DC .We claim that if the third parallelogram is constructed inA A .this fashion, then2 35 :1AFigure 3.11 depicts the two-step shearing proof forPappus’ <strong>The</strong>orem. <strong>The</strong> proof is rather easy once therestrictions for the rectangle to be fitted on side AB areknown. Figure 3.11 shows the areas of the two originalparallelograms being preserved through a two-steptransformation that preserves equality of altitudes. This isdone by keeping each area contained within two pairs ofparallel guidelines—like railroad tracks. In this fashion,1is morphed to the left side of the constructed parallelogramhaving area A3. Likewise, A2is morphed to the right sideof the same. Summing the two areas gives the sought afterresult:A1 A2 A3AA A12A1A2A 3Figure 3.11: Pappus Triple Shear Line Proof109

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