Methods for obtaining Pythagorean triples cited in the Annotated List of Resources range from simple to sophisticated. I refer to several so the students can get a sense of the range of options (cf [10], [14], [20], [23]). One they particularly like is Kalman's method (cf. [20]) for generating Pythagorean triples from proper fractions. Kalman starts with a right triangle with angle A, such that tan A = a proper fraction, say plq. He then constructs another right triangle using 2A as one angle. Since tan 2 A = 2 tan A/ (I- tan2 A) = 2pq/ (q2 - /?2), the legs of the new triangle can be labeled 2pq and (q2 -p2). Using the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the length of the hypotenuse will produce an integer. This proves that Kalman's procedure always produces a Pythagorean triple when tan A is rational. With the "hands-on" experience of generating triples and the knowledge gained from exploring other attempts at generating triples using familiar objects (like fractions), the students are ready to venture into unfamiliar territory.