Pythagorean triple

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A Pythagorean triple is a set of three positive whole numbers a, b, and c that are the side lengths of a right triangle.

Remark: there is no Pythagorean triple that approximates the angle of 51.84° of the Khufu (Cheops) Pyramid (see value for angle β). Taking the lenghts of 440 cubits and the height of 280 cubits we get proportions of a=22 to b=28 to c= 35.6 (or 11-14-17.8). This corresponds to a seked of 5 1/2 palms.

Pythagorean triple
numbers added
A multiple of 12?
c² = b² + a²
α-β-γ
12knot-rope
part of 60
5 4 3 12
x
x
5² = 4² + 3²
Angle of Khafre's pyramid
36.8°-53.1°-90°
10 8 6 24
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
13 12 5 30
x
13² = 12² + 5² 22.6°-67.4°-90°
15 12 9 36
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
17 15 8 30
x
17² = 15² + 8² 28°-62°-90°
20 12 16 48
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
25 24 7 56
25² = 24² + 7² 16.2°-73.4°-90°
25 20 15 60
x
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
26 24 10 60
x
deduced from 13 12 5 22.6°-67.4°-90°
29 21 20 60
x
x
29² = 21² + 20²
Angle of Red pyramid
43.6°'-46.4°-90°
30 12 18 60
x
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
34 30 16 80
deduced from 17 15 8 28°-62°-90°
35 28 21 84
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
35.6 28 22
Angle of Khufu's pyramid 35.6°-51.8°-90°

36 28 23

45 35 28*

87
Angle of Menkaure's pyramid

39.70°-51.05°-89.24°
measured: 38.66°-51.34°-90°

37 35 12 84
x
37² = 35² + 12² 18.9°-71.1°-90°
39 36 15 90
deduced from 13 12 5 22.6°-67.4°-90°
40 32 24 96
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
41 40 9 90
41² = 40² + 9² 12.7°-77.3°-90°
45 36 27 108
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
50 40 30 120
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
51 45 24 120
x
deduced from 17 15 8 28°-62°-90°
52 48 20 120
x
deduced from 13 12 5 22.6°-67.4°-90°
53 45 28 126
53² = 45² + 28² 31.8°-58.1°-90°
55 44 33 132
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°
60 48 36 144
x
deduced from 5 4 3 36.8°-53.1°-90°

* This seked is closer to the angle of 51.34° which was measured (28.1² + 35.1² = 45²) and also gives a right angle. Either this or the pyramid builders made some mistakes.

 

Links

Wikipedia English: Pythagorean triple (also called triplets)
The Pythagorean theorem on www.mathepower.com

 

Credits:

Copyright 2006:

Franz Löhner www.cheops-pyramide.ch
 

Concept and Design, Text:

Teresa (Zubi) Zuberbühler www.starfish.ch