Pythagoras' Theorem: Full GCSE Maths Lesson

A complete, ready to teach lesson on Pythagoras’ theorem for KS3 and GCSE maths (Foundation and Higher). 31 editable PowerPoint slides with teacher notes on every slide.

The lesson builds step by step from spotting the hypotenuse to solving exam style problems:

• Learning objectives and key words (hypotenuse, leg, right angle)
• Warm up starter on squares and square roots, with answers
• Spot the hypotenuse activity, with answers
• Why the theorem works, using the squares on each side
• Finding the hypotenuse: square, add, square root, with two worked examples
• Finding a shorter side: square, subtract, square root, with two worked examples
• “Add or subtract?” decision slide to stop the most common error
• Your turn and practice questions, each with an answer slide
• Problem solving: the ladder problem, distance between two points, and testing whether a triangle is right angled (converse)
• Exam style question with a mark scheme
• Common mistakes, an exit ticket with answers, and a key points summary

Every question has a worked answer slide, so it works for whole class teaching, cover lessons, intervention groups and revision. Diagrams are colour coded so students can see which side is which. Fully editable, so you can adapt questions for your class.

Ideal for Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 (ages 13 to 16) and suitable for AQA, Edexcel and OCR GCSE Maths, plus 8th grade Common Core (8.G.B).

If you find this useful, please leave a review. The next lesson in the series is Trigonometry: SOHCAHTOA.