James wants to draw a line diagonally across a rectangular piece of paper. If the paper measures 9 inches by 12 inches, what is

Question

ss7ja [257]

4 years ago

9

James wants to draw a line diagonally across a rectangular piece of paper. If the paper measures 9 inches by 12 inches, what is

the minimum length of the straight-edge he needs to make the line?

Mathematics

2 answers:

Helga [31] · Answer 1 · 2022-01-12T09:29:20+03:00

Helga [31]4 years ago

8 0

The straight-edge would have to be 12.7279220614 inches

sineoko [7] · Answer 2 · 2022-01-12T11:23:20+03:00

sineoko [7]4 years ago

3 0

If James draws a diagonal line of length x from one right angle to the opposite right angle, then he divides his piece of paper into two pieces, each of them is right triangle with legs 9 inches and 12 inches.
By Pythagorean theorem:
$x^2=9^2+12^2 \\ x^2=81+144 \\ x^2=225 \\ x=15$ inches.
Answer: 15 inches