This time we again start with a right triangle, but in this case both a and b are the same length or "measure the same,"  i.e.  a = b:

We get two copies of the triangle and arrange them so that they form a perfect square:

As you can see, even though we put two triangles together, we added an extra line to end up with four smaller triangles. The next step unfolds each of the four triangles. Imagine a box where you are opening each of the triangles. The one on the top opens upwards, the one on the right opens to the right, etc. Here is the resulting figure:

Here are a few questions to help you out:

Your task now is to identify where the lengths a, b, and c are, use them to calculate the different areas, and hopefully determine how the three variables relate to each other.

Here again is an your opportunity to check your hunch:

The template includes 8 of the triangles used in this tip to help you unfold them.

On again to the next tip...