5. You want to divide a square piece of paper into two equivalent triangles. If the square measures 20 cm on each side, what will the third side of each triangle measure? (1 point)
8.9 cm
20 cm
28.3 cm
40 cm

Question

5.   You want to divide a square piece of paper into two equivalent triangles. If the square measures 20 cm on each side, what will the third side of each triangle measure?  (1 point)
8.9 cm
20 cm
28.3 cm
40 cm

mathstudent55 · Answer

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In a right triangle you have a^2 + b^2 = c^2, but since a and b are sides of a square, 
a = b, so you have:
a^2 + a^2 = c^2
2a^2 = c^2
c^2 = 2a^2
c = a*sqrt(2)
In this case, a = 20, so 
c = a*sqrt(2) = 20*sqrt(2) = 28.28427...

anonymous · Answer

so im  guessing 28.3

mathstudent55 · Answer

Yes, that is 28.28427... rounded of to the nearest tenth.