Back to Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles — Problem 2 · Task Set 71

8.G.B.7 Tutor Intake -- Applying the Pythagorean Theorem

This short check helps your tutor see where to start. Work on your own,
with a calculator for square roots if needed. Do your best -- the goal
is to find what to work on together, not to grade you.

Grade 8·4 problems·~6 min·Common Core Math - Grade 8·container·8-g-b-7

Work through problems with immediate feedback

Applications

A shipping box is 3 ft long, 4 ft wide, and 12 ft tall. To find
the space diagonal (corner to opposite corner through the
interior), what is the correct two-step process?

First find the base diagonal (sqrt(3^2+4^2) = 5), then use that with the height to find the space diagonal (sqrt(5^2+12^2) = 13)

Just add all three dimensions: 3 + 4 + 12 = 19

Apply the Pythagorean Theorem once using any two of the three dimensions

Multiply all three dimensions: 3 x 4 x 12 = 144, then take the square root