In mathematics, hypotenuse means: The longest side of a right triangle, which is the side opposite the right angle.
In Turkish: hipotenüs
How it is used
Appears in the Pythagorean theorem and in trigonometry, where the other two sides are named 'opposite' and 'adjacent' in relation to a given angle. You find, calculate or label the hypotenuse.
Example sentences
The two shorter sides are 5 and 12, so the hypotenuse is 13.
Label the hypotenuse first, then the opposite and adjacent sides.
Common collocations
length of the hypotenuse
find the hypotenuse
opposite over hypotenuse
adjacent over hypotenuse
Related terms
Pythagorean theoremThe rule that in a right triangle the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: a² + b² = c².
right angleAn angle of exactly 90 degrees, like the corner of a square, usually marked on diagrams with a small square.
sineIn a right triangle, the ratio of the side opposite an angle to the hypotenuse; it is written sin, so sin 30° = 0.5.
cosineIn a right triangle, the ratio of the side next to an angle (the adjacent side) to the hypotenuse; it is written cos, so cos 60° = 0.5.
triangleA flat shape with three straight sides and three angles; the angles inside any triangle always add up to 180 degrees.
