The following proof related to #39, have been submitted by Adam Rose (Sept. 23, 2004.)
Start with two identical right triangles: ABC and AFE, A the intersection of BE and CF. Mark D on AB and G on extension of AF, such that
B C= BD = FG (= EF).
(For further notations refer to the above diagram.) ΔBCD is isosceles. Therefore, ∠BCD = p/2 - α/2. Since angle C is right,
∠ACD = p/2 - (p/2 - α/2) = α/2.
Since ∠AFE is exterior to ΔEFG, ∠AFE = ∠FEG + ∠FGE. But ΔEFG is also isosceles. Thus
∠AG E = ∠FGE = α/2.
We now have two lines, CD and EG, crossed by CG with two alternate interior angles, ACD and A GE, equal. Therefore, C D||EG. Triangles AC D and AGE are similar, and A D/A C = A E/AG:
b/(c - a) = (c + a)/b,
and the Pythagorean theorem follows.