PAss Functional Skills

Pythagoras theorem

Pythagoras theorem for A Level Politics OCR: what it means, how to set the working out, and the questions it is asked in.
  • A Level
  • OCR
  • Politics
  • Spec S10 · S8 · S6
  • 9 min read
  • 10 revision boxes

Introduction

2 boxes
4 min read

What is pythagoras theorem?

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Transcript

A short spoken summary of pythagoras theorem and where it is used.

A spoken walk-through of pythagoras theorem before you read the notes.
The specification wording is precise here, and the mark scheme follows that wording exactly.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
6 rows

The pythagoras theorem reference table

Read the units in the question before you start; a converted unit is the most common slip.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing pythagoras theorem laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left.
Term
Meaning
Example
Common slip
Marks
Row 1 column 1
Row 1 column 2
a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Row 1 column 4
Row 1 column 5
Row 2 column 1
Row 2 column 2
≈160\approx 160
Row 2 column 4
Row 2 column 5

Learning

6 boxes
4 steps

How to work with pythagoras theorem

Check the answer against an estimate before you move on, so a place-value slip is caught here.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for pythagoras theorem in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0.
Answer: ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
2 rules

Key facts: Pythagoras theorem

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing pythagoras theorem laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.

  • Rule 1

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

  • Rule 2

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    ≈160\approx 160
3 steps

How to work with pythagoras theorem

The specification wording is precise here, and the mark scheme follows that wording exactly.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for pythagoras theorem in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
  4. Check the answer against an estimate before writing it down.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.
Answer: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}
3 rules

Key facts: Pythagoras theorem

Read the units in the question before you start; a converted unit is the most common slip.
Worth knowing: 49=7\sqrt{49} = 7.

  • Rule 1

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0

  • Rule 2

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    ×10\times 10 moves every digit one column left
3 steps

How to work with pythagoras theorem

Check the answer against an estimate before you move on, so a place-value slip is caught here.
  1. Read the question and write down what is being asked for.
  2. Set out the working for pythagoras theorem in the order the method gives.
  3. Substitute the values and simplify.
Start from the definition and substitute the numbers the question gives you.
Simplify one line at a time: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}.
Answer: x2+5x+6=0x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0
2 rules

Key facts: Pythagoras theorem

Work through the method one line at a time and write down what changes at each step.

  • Rule 1

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 1st of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

  • Rule 2

    How pythagoras theorem behaves in the 2nd of the cases the specification names.
    a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

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Examples

2 boxes
4 marks · worked

Worked example: pythagoras theorem

Read the units in the question before you start; a converted unit is the most common slip.
The layout below is the one the mark scheme expects.

Diagram showing pythagoras theorem laid out step by step

The same idea drawn out, so the method is visible.
Worth knowing: a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2.
3 marks · worked

Practice question 10: 34×25\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{2}{5}

Sketch the shape even when the question does not ask for one — it makes the next step obvious.

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Common questions

How many marks is pythagoras theorem usually worth?
Between one and four, depending on how many steps the question asks for.
Is this on the A Level Politics OCR paper?
Yes — it sits in the Reading and comprehension strand.