Key idea: Pythagoras Theorem (and its converse)
**Theorem**: In a right triangle with legs a, b and hypotenuse c:a2+b2=c2.
**Proof using similar triangles**:
In ΔABC right-angled at C, drop perpendicular from C to AB meeting it at D.
- ΔACD ~ ΔABC(AA: shared ∠A, both right-angled).
- ΔBCD ~ ΔABC(AA: shared ∠B, both right-angled).
From ΔACD ~ ΔABC:AC2=AD×AB.
From ΔBCD ~ ΔABC:BC2=BD×AB.
Add: AC2+BC2=AB(AD+BD)=AB⋅AB=AB2.
So a2+b2=c2. ∎
**Converse**: if a2+b2=c2 in a triangle, then the triangle is right-angled at the vertex opposite c.
**Pythagorean triples**: integer triples (a, b, c) with a2+b2=c2. Examples: (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), (8, 15, 17), (7, 24, 25).