Question

one side of a laptop is 9.5 inches and the other side is 14 inches.

using the pythagorean theorem, what is the length of the diagonal of the laptop? answer choices are rounded to the nearest inch.

a.) 12 inches
b.) 10 inches
c.) 28 inches
d.) 17 inches

Explanation:

Identify the given side lengths

$$ a = 9.5\text{ inches},\quad b = 14\text{ inches} $$

Apply the Pythagorean theorem

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

$$ c^2 = 9.5^2 + 14^2 = 90.25 + 196 = 286.25 $$

Calculate and round the diagonal length

$$ c = \sqrt{286.25} \approx 16.919\text{ inches} $$

$$ c \approx 17\text{ inches (rounded to the nearest inch)} $$

Answer:

• a.) 12 inches
• b.) 10 inches
• c.) 28 inches
• d.) 17 inches (Correct answer)