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The hypotenuse is the longest side of a right triangle. The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the base and the perpendicular side of the right triangle. Learn everything you need to know about hypotenuse in this article. Learn how to use the hypotenuse formula to calculate the longest side of a right triangle, using the Pythagoras theorem. See examples, FAQs and the history of the formula . A right-angled triangle and its hypotenuse In geometry, a hypotenuse is the side of a right triangle opposite to the right angle. [1] It is the longest side of any such triangle; the two other shorter sides of such a triangle are called catheti or legs. Every rectangle can be divided into a pair of right triangles by cutting it along either diagonal; the diagonals are the hypotenuses of these triangles. The length of the hypotenuse can be found using the Pythagorean theorem , which states ... The Pythagorean Theorem is a theorem specific to right triangles. It cannot be used with non-right triangles. For a right triangle with a hypotenuse of length c and leg lengths a and b, the Pythagorean Theorem states that: Solving for c gives us the hypotenuse formula : Below is a hypotenuse example using the Pythagorean Theorem .