Question

frankie wants to build a path from one corner of his yard to the opposite corner. his yard measures 20 ft. x 32 ft. what will be the length of his path to the nearest tenth of a foot?

21.5 ft
25.0 ft
32.6 ft
37.7 ft

Explanation:

Set up the Pythagorean equation

$$ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 $$

$$ c^2 = 20^2 + 32^2 $$

Calculate the sum of squares

$$ c^2 = 400 + 1024 = 1424 $$

Solve for the diagonal length

$$ c = \sqrt{1424} \approx 37.7358\text{ ft} \approx 37.7\text{ ft} $$

Answer:

• (A) 21.5 ft
• (B) 25.0 ft
• (C) 32.6 ft
• (D) 37.7 ft (Correct answer)