Question

A rectangle with a diagonal of 13 feet and a length of 5 feet can be split into two right triangles. Which of the following measurements could be used to describe the length and the width of the rectangle? (Hint: Draw a picture!)

A.13 feet by 5 feet
B. 13 feet by 12 feet
C. 12 feet by 5 feet
D. 5 feet by 5 feet

Answer 1

Use Pythagorean theorem to find missing length, let’s call it x.
Triangle has a base of 5 feet and height of 13 feet. So using Pythagorean theorem we can get the equation:
a^2+b^2= c^2 —> a=5 b=x c=13
25+x^2= 169
x^2=144 —> take the square root of 144
x=12

Answer: C