Question

Draw 2 line segments, each 4 cm in length, intersecting at their midpoints. Connect each endpoint to each adjacent endpoint to form a quadrilateral. What is the maximum number of square centimeters possible in the area of the quadrilateral?

Answer 1

8

Explanation:

The maximum area will be a square. Everything else will have a height less than one of the sides of the square.

Use Pythagoras to find the length of the side of the square.

s^2 = 2^2 + 2^2

s^2 = 8

s = 2sqrt(2)

s^2 = 8

the square will have 8 cm^2