Pythagoras, rectangles & Greek temples

Greek Temples
A Greek temple may align along its diagonal to the East. A rectangular temple often comprises two adjacent squares and measures in Pythagorean triplets.

At Key Stage 2, drawing a Greek temple supports the teaching of 2-D shapes in mathematics. It provides an opportunity to practise measuring, and covers the definitions and properties of rectangles and isosceles triangles.

At Key Stage 3, drawing the plan of a stylobate of a Greek temple is an appropriate way to introduce Pythagoras Theorem while drawing a Doric temple enables the understanding of the importance of geometry and number theory to Greek architects.

A Pythagorean triple is a right angled triangle with sides of three positive integers:
a, b, and c usually written (a, b, c). The smallest triple numerically is (3, 4, 5). Other combinations of positive integers produce Pythagorean triples. Multiples of these integers - producing a scaled up right angled triangle - are also Pythagorean triples.