Final answer:
To find the shortest distance between first and third base on a baseball diamond with sides of 90 feet, we use the Pythagorean theorem. The diagonal of a square (the distance between first and third base) is the side length times the square root of 2. This gives a distance of approximately 127.3 feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question "a baseball diamond is a square with sides of 90 feet. What is the shortest distance, to the nearest tenth of a foot, between first and third base?" involves using the Pythagorean theorem to find the diagonal of a square, which represents the distance between first and third base in a baseball diamond. Since a baseball diamond is in the shape of a square, the two bases are opposite corners of the square. The formula for the diagonal (D) of a square with side length (s) is D = s√2, since the diagonal forms a right triangle with the sides of the square.
To calculate the distance:
- Substitute the side length of 90 feet into the formula: D = 90√2.
- Calculate the diagonal: D = 90√2 = 90 * 1.414 (approximately).
- Find the result: D ≈ 127.3 feet to the nearest tenth of a foot.
Therefore, the shortest distance between first and third base on a baseball diamond is 127.3 feet to the nearest tenth of a foot.