Question

Paula is decorating a ballroom ceiling with garland. The width of the rectangular ceiling is 20 meters and the diagonal distance from one corner to the opposite corner is 29 meters. How much garland will Paula need for the length of the ceiling?

Answer 1

To solve this problem, we can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the ceiling.

Let's call the length of the ceiling "l". Then, using the Pythagorean theorem, we have:

l^2 + 20^2 = 29^2

Simplifying this equation, we get:

l^2 = 29^2 - 20^2

l^2 = 441

l = sqrt(441)

l = 21 meters

Paula will need 21 meters of garland for the length of the ceiling.

(If you’re confused on how I got it please comment!)