SOLUTION: How do you figure the diagonal dimensions for a 9 ft square? Thanks Tim

Algebra ->  Rectangles -> SOLUTION: How do you figure the diagonal dimensions for a 9 ft square? Thanks Tim      Log On


   

Question 324505: How do you figure the diagonal dimensions for a 9 ft square?
Thanks
Tim
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If you draw a square with side length 'x' and cut it down the diagonal, you will create two triangles. So if you can find the hypotenuse of either triangle, they you have found the diagonal. We can find the hypotenuse 'h' by the pythagorean theorem a%5E2%2Bb%5E2=c%5E2. In this case, a=b=x and c=h which means that x%5E2%2Bx%5E2=h%5E2. Solve for 'h' to get h=x%2Asqrt%282%29 (note: we're only considering the positive square root).


So if you have a side length 'x', you can use it to find the hypotenuse 'h' by the formula h=x%2Asqrt%282%29


So for "a 9 ft square", we have x=9 which makes the diagonal to be h=9%2Asqrt%282%29=+12.7279221 ft (approximately)