Rectangle Diagonal Formula:
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The diagonal of a rectangle is the straight line connecting two opposite corners. It divides the rectangle into two right-angled triangles and is the longest distance between any two points on the rectangle.
The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:
Where:
Explanation: The formula comes from the Pythagorean theorem which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (diagonal) equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides (length and width).
Details: Calculating the diagonal is important in construction, carpentry, screen size measurements, and any application where you need to determine the longest straight-line distance within a rectangular space.
Tips: Enter both length and width in meters. All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the diagonal length in meters.
Q1: Does it matter which side is length and which is width?
A: No, the formula is symmetric. The result will be the same regardless of which measurement you call length and which you call width.
Q2: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, as long as both measurements are in the same unit. The result will be in that same unit.
Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise. Any inaccuracy would come from measurement errors in determining the length and width.
Q4: Does this work for squares?
A: Yes, a square is just a special case of rectangle where length equals width. The formula simplifies to \( diagonal = side \times \sqrt{2} \).
Q5: Can this be used for 3D boxes?
A: No, this is for 2D rectangles. For 3D boxes, you would need to include height in the calculation.