SOLUTION: A rectangular gate has a width of 24 inches and a diagonal of 50 inches. How tall is the gate to the nearest inch? I tried to multiply 24 by 2 and 50 by 2, I added that up and div

Question 28265: A rectangular gate has a width of 24 inches and a diagonal of 50 inches. How tall is the gate to the nearest inch? I tried to multiply 24 by 2 and 50 by 2, I added that up and divided by 4? I don't think that is correct, please help.
Answer by vihits13(20) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ok the method u used to solve this was completely wrong but thats ok. :-)
you have to use the pythagorean theorem. the pythagorean theorem can only be used on right triangles and it states: a^2 + b^2= c^2.
a and b are the legs of the right triangle and c is the hypotenuse.
in this question, u r given one of the legs and the hypotenuse. the width would be the leg and the diagnol would be the hypotenuse.
lets set up the equation:
24^2+b^2=50^2
576+b^2=2500
b^2=1924 now take the square root of 1924.
b=43.86 the length is obviously b.
the length is approximately equal to 43.86 inches. it would be 44 inches if you want it to the nearest inch.
RELATED QUESTIONS
MERRIC IS BUYING A BOARD TO USE AS A DIAGONAL BRACE ON A RECTANGULAR GATE. THE GATE IS 36 (answered by checkley75)

A carpenter added a diagonal brace to a gate that measures 45 inches wide and 55 inches... (answered by Cromlix)

A 10-foot tall gate has a diagonal brace that forms a 28� angle at the top. Which is the (answered by Alan3354)

the gate of a fence is 8ft. tall and 15ft. wide. how long is the diagonal strip (d) used... (answered by vleith)

A carpenter added a diagonal brace to a gate that measures 45 inches wide and 55 inches... (answered by fractalier)

a rectangular photograph has side lengths of7 inches and 13 inches. To the nearest... (answered by JulietG)

The diagonal brace on a gate is 5 feet long. THe height of the gate is 4 feet long. How... (answered by checkley77)

Diagonal brace. The width of a rectangular gate is 2 meters (m) larger than its height.... (answered by jojo14344)

Diagonal brace. The width of a rectangular gate is 2 meters (m) larger than its height.... (answered by nerdybill)