Step 10 Objective

Understand and apply Pythagoras' theorem when solving problems in two dimensions.

Examples of what pupils should know and be able to do

Probing questions

What do you look for when deciding whether a problem can be solved using Pythagoras' theorem?

How do you decide which side is the hypotenuse?

If a is the length of the hypotenuse, why is it incorrect to use a² + b² = c²?

What if pupils find this a barrier?

Focus on the strategies that pupils need to identify the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle.

Devise a card-matching activity with sets of cards giving the problem in words, the diagram and the steps to the solution.

Include inaccurate diagrams and solutions.