Math Problem Statement

Roy's bedroom is rectangular. The length of one wall of Roy's bedroom is 3 meters. The length from one corner of the bedroom to the diagonally opposite corner is 5 meters. What is the length of the other wall?

Solution

To solve this, we can apply the Pythagorean Theorem. The room is rectangular, so the two walls and the diagonal form a right triangle. Let’s label the dimensions:

  • The length of one wall is 3 meters (given).
  • The length of the diagonal is 5 meters (given).
  • We need to find the length of the other wall, which we'll call xx.

According to the Pythagorean Theorem, for a right triangle with legs aa and bb and hypotenuse cc, the relationship is:

a2+b2=c2a^2 + b^2 = c^2

In this case:

  • a=3a = 3 meters (one wall),
  • b=xb = x meters (the other wall we need to find),
  • c=5c = 5 meters (the diagonal).

Substituting these values into the equation:

32+x2=523^2 + x^2 = 5^2

Simplifying:

9+x2=259 + x^2 = 25

Now, subtract 9 from both sides:

x2=16x^2 = 16

Taking the square root of both sides:

x=4x = 4

So, the length of the other wall is 4 meters.

Would you like to dive deeper into how the Pythagorean theorem works or have any other questions? Here are some related questions:

  1. What if the diagonal had been longer or shorter, how would the other wall change?
  2. How would this apply if the room was not rectangular but a different shape?
  3. What is the general formula for finding the diagonal of a rectangle?
  4. Could we use trigonometry to solve this instead of the Pythagorean theorem?
  5. What are some real-world applications where the Pythagorean theorem is used?

Tip: Always check if a problem involves a right triangle when you see two sides and a diagonal; it’s a perfect case for the Pythagorean Theorem!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Pythagorean Theorem
Right Triangles
Algebra

Formulas

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 7-9