Question

A rectangular prism is 3 ft long 4 ft wide and 2 ft tall. What is the length of the longest diagonal?

Answer 1

Answer: Pythagorean Theorem in 3 D

sqrt ( 3^2 + 4^2 + 2^2) =

sqrt ( 9 + 16 + 4) =

sqrt( 29) = 5.3852 approximately

Step-by-step explanation:

The longest diagonal is about 8.9 inches. The longest length is going to be between the two longest lengths, the width and the height. The Pythagorean theorem is a^2 + b^2 = c^2. Plug the width and height into a and b of the Pythagorean equation. (4)^2 + (8)^2 = c^2. Now simplify the equation. 16 + 64 = c^2. 80 = c^2. Now find the square root of each side. (sqrt)80 = (sqrt)c^2. If you simplify this, you will find that c is equal to about 8.9 inches.