Your uncle is making you a desk for you to take to college. One side of the desk is 48 inches and the diagonal length is 53.7 inches. What is the length of the other side of the desk?

12 inches

23.8 inches

17.4 inches

24 inches

Question

Your uncle is making you a desk for you to take to college. One side of the desk is 48 inches and the diagonal length is 53.7 inches. What is the length of the other side of the desk?

12 inches
 		
23.8 inches
 		
17.4 inches
 		
24 inches

anonymous · Answer

do you know how to use the Pythagorean theorem?

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

$$a ^{2} + b ^{2} = c ^{2}$$ where a and b are sides and c is the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

anonymous · Answer

wait so do i just plug the two numbers in?

anonymous · Answer

yep.  remember, the diagonal is the hypotenuse

anonymous · Answer

see thats what i dont get, so Im searching for c2 right?

anonymous · Answer

so the answer is 24 inches? thats what i got

anonymous · Answer

i think that is it.  good job

anonymous · Answer

thanks you! i finally understand it now
you think you could help me with one more?

The length of the one side of a square is 24 cm. Find the length of the diagonal.

anonymous · Answer

sure

anonymous · Answer

The length of the one side of a square is 24 cm. Find the length of the diagonal.

anonymous · Answer

using the Pythagorean theorem with a square, then a and b are the same...

anonymous · Answer

so its 12?

anonymous · Answer

sorry, I don't think so.

anonymous · Answer

what might it be?

anonymous · Answer

think about using 12 as an answer.  if one side of the square is 24, would the distance from one corner to the other corner (the diagonal) be 12?

anonymous · Answer

$$a ^{2} + b ^{2} = c ^{2} $$ gives$$24^{2} + 24^{2} = c ^{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

ohhh i see okay thank you! i think i got?

anonymous · Answer

you are welcome. good luck