Question

a rectangular frame is being built for an artists canvas. the finished canvas should have a length of 8 inches and a width of 15 inches. if the angles in the corners of the canvas are true right - angles, what should the length of the diagonal measure? answer how to enter your answer (opens in new window) inches

Explanation:

Step1: Apply Pythagorean theorem

In a rectangle, if length $l = 8$ inches and width $w=15$ inches, and diagonal $d$ is the hypotenuse of a right - triangle formed by length and width. According to the Pythagorean theorem $d^{2}=l^{2}+w^{2}$.

Step2: Substitute values

Substitute $l = 8$ and $w = 15$ into the formula: $d^{2}=8^{2}+15^{2}=64 + 225=289$.

Step3: Solve for $d$

Take the square - root of both sides. Since $d>0$, $d=\sqrt{289}=17$.

Answer:

17