Question

What is the length of the diagonal of a 10 cm by 15 cm rectangle?

Answer 1

18.02 cm

Explanation:

A diagonal makes a rectangle into two right triangles. So if we use the Pythagorean theorem we can find the hypotenuse which is the diagonals.

Remember, because we know the length and width, we know the two sides.

10^2 + 15^2 = c^2

100+225 = c^2

325 = c^2

18.027 ≈ c

Answer 2

We can use the Pythagorean theorem to solve for the diagonal. The diagonal is the same as the hypotenuse of a triangle.

Pythagorean Theorem: a² + b² = c²

Now, solve for the diagonal.

(10)² + (15)² = c²

100 + 225 = c²

325 = c²

√325 = √c²

18.0277... = c

Round if necessary.

18.0277... = 18.03

Therefore, the diagonal of the rectangle is approximately 18.03cm.

Best of Luck!