Definition:Triangle (Geometry)/Right-Angled/Hypotenuse
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Definition
In a right-angled triangle, the opposite side to the right angle is known as the hypotenuse.
In the above figure, the side labeled $b$ is the hypotenuse.
Linguistic Note
The word hypotenuse derives from the Ancient Greek ὑποτείνουσα (hypoteínousa), which means sustaining.
This is the active participle of ὑποτείνω (hypoteínō), which means to subtend or to stretch under.
The word has no applications apart from this specific definition in mathematics.
Sources
- 1971: Wilfred Kaplan and Donald J. Lewis: Calculus and Linear Algebra ... (previous) ... (next): Introduction: Review of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry: $\text{0-1}$: The Real Numbers
- 1986: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers ... (previous) ... (next): Glossary
- 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): hypotenuse
- 1997: David Wells: Curious and Interesting Numbers (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Glossary
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): hypotenuse
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): hypotenuse
- 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $5$: Eternal Triangles: The origins of trigonometry
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): hypotenuse