The    
Constructing a Third Square
Problem


Two Squares



Given: the two squares in the figure above, construct a third square
whose area equals the sum of the areas of the two given squares.







            First bring the two given squares together as follows:


            Two Squares


            Next, flip the first one of the two squares vertically about its base line
            and draw a line connecting the two upper left-hand corners of the two squares.


            Two Squares                        Two Squares on the Sides of a Right Triangle



            Now draw a square with sides equal to the line segment just drawn.


            Pythagorean Squares




NOW try this:
Given 3 squares, construct a 4th square whose area is equal to the sum of the areas of
the 3 given squares.
   



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             © Thomas M. Green, Contra Costa College