Question

I have a rectangle that I've measured at 15" across at opposite corners. What is the width and height?

Answer 1

You would need more info because there are infinitely many rectangles that have a diagonal of 15 inches.

Answer 2

If you knew how the length and width are connected (eg: the length is 3 times the width), then you can use that to find the answer

Answer 3

It's a computer monitor. I just have the diagonal of 15 inches :(

Answer 4

Does it give you a ratio of the length to width, like 4:3 or 16:9 ?

Answer 5

Best guess: 16:9

Answer 6

ok so that means that the width is 16 inches and the height is 9 inches

OR

the width is 16k inches and the height is 9k inches for some positive number k

Answer 7

So this means

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

L^2 + W^2 = 15^2

(16k)^2 + (9k)^2 = 225

256k^2 + 81k^2 = 225

337k^2 = 225

k^2 = 225/337

k^2 = 0.667655786

k = sqrt(0.667655786)

k = 0.8171020

Therefore,

Width: 16k = 16(0.8171020) = 13.073632 inches (roughly)

Height: 9k = 9(0.8171020) = 7.353918 inches (roughly)

Answer 8

This is of course all hinged on the assumption that the monitor is 16:9

Answer 9

Thank you! :)

Answer 10

yw