Question

A suitcase measures 24 inches long and 18 inches high, what is the diagonal length of the suitcase?

Answer 1

the diagonal is 30 inches

Explanation:

you assume a suitcase is a rectangular shape, and the diagonal length makes 2 right triangles; therefore you can use Pythagorean theorem

`a^(2)` +
`b^(2)` =
`c^(2)` ; where a = 24, b = 18 and c is the diagonal

`24^(2)` +
`18^(2)` =
`c^(2)`

`c^(2)` = 576 + 324

`c^(2)` = 900

c = 30 inches

Answer 2

The diagonal is 30 inches

Explanation:

Assuming a rectangular suitcase (with right angles), we can use the Pythagorean theorem to solve this

a² + b² = c²

so we plug our two values to find the diagonal (hypotenuse)

24² + 18² = c²

576 + 324 = c²

900 = c²

c = √900

c = 30

The diagonal is 30 inches