GED® Geometry: Right Triangles
A focused GED® Mathematics course on right triangles: recognizing the 90-degree angle, naming legs and the hypotenuse, using the Pythagorean Theorem, finding missing sides, using right-triangle area and perimeter, spotting common triples, and solving practical ramp, ladder, diagonal, and distance problems. Each lesson includes a diagram or self-check, and the practice set is multiple-choice with full worked explanations.
📚 Course Curriculum
Right triangles are one of the most dependable geometry patterns on the GED® Mathematics test. A right triangle is a triangle with exactly one \(90^\circ\) …
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Every right triangle has two legs and one hypotenuse. [[figure:pythagorean_triangle The legs form the right angle; the hypotenuse is opposite the right angle.]]. The legs …
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The central formula for right triangles is the Pythagorean Theorem:. where \(a\) and \(b\) are the legs, and \(c\) is the hypotenuse. [[figure:right_triangle_345 For a …
Open trial session →When both legs are known and the hypotenuse is missing, add the squares and then take the square root:. Worked example: a right triangle has …
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When the hypotenuse and one leg are known, the missing side is the other leg. This time you subtract:. Worked example: a right triangle has …
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A right triangle's two legs are perpendicular, so they can act as the base and height for area:. [[figure:area_triangle Triangle area is half of base …
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Some right triangles have whole-number side lengths called Pythagorean triples. Knowing the common ones saves time:. \(3, 4, 5\). \(5, 12, 13\). \(8, 15, 17\). …
Open trial session →Many right-triangle questions hide the triangle inside a real situation. Your job is to draw it. [[figure:distance_on_grid A straight-line distance can be the hypotenuse of …
Open trial session →Course Syllabus
This self-paced GED® Math course follows a 8-lesson sequence. Work through the modules in order so that each skill supports the next.
Course sequence
Module 1 - Lessons 1-4
- What Makes a Triangle Right?
- Legs and Hypotenuse
- The Pythagorean Theorem
- Finding the Hypotenuse
Module 2 - Lessons 5-8
- Finding a Missing Leg
- Area and Perimeter of Right Triangles
- Triples and Special Right Triangles
- Word Problems: Draw the Hidden Triangle
Practice and completion
- Use worked examples and lesson practice to check understanding after each module.
- Review incorrect answers, explain the correction, and repeat weak skills.
- Complete the available mixed or final course practice to demonstrate readiness.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain and apply the mathematical ideas in What Makes a Triangle Right?.
- Solve multi-step problems involving The Pythagorean Theorem and show a clear method.
- Interpret representations and check the reasonableness of work involving Finding a Missing Leg.
- Choose efficient strategies for unfamiliar questions related to Area and Perimeter of Right Triangles.
- Combine skills from Word Problems: Draw the Hidden Triangle with earlier topics in mixed practice.
- Use feedback and answer explanations to diagnose and correct mistakes.
- Complete mixed, exam-style practice with clearer reasoning and greater independence.
📝 Practice Questions
28 interactive questions with instant feedback and explanations.
Enroll for free to unlock the full practice bank after the trial sessions.