Question

The diagonal of a suitcase measures 30 inches and the height is 18 inches. What is the width of the suitcase to the

nearest Inch?

Answer 1

In the Pythagorean Theorem, a^2+b^2=c^2. The measurements provided here are 30, and 18. 30 is c and 18 is either a or b (it doesn’t matter) 30 is c because it is specified as a diagonal. In reverse to the Theorem, it would be 30^2-18^2= a^2 that would be 900-324. You would then square root what you got for “a” to find your answer. It would be 24.

Answer 2

Explanation:

By the Pythagorean Theorem we know

h^2=x^2+y^2 (where h is the hypotenuse and x and y are sides of a right triangle)

w^2+18^2=30^2

w^2=30^2-18^2

w^2=900-324

w^2=576

w=24 in