1. What is the Diagonal of a Rectangle?

The diagonal of a rectangle is the straight line connecting two opposite corners. It divides the rectangle into two right-angled triangles and can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem:

Where:

• \( d \) — Diagonal (same units as length and width)
• \( l \) — Length of the rectangle
• \( w \) — Width of the rectangle

Explanation: The formula comes from the Pythagorean theorem where the diagonal is the hypotenuse of a right triangle formed by the length and width.

3. Importance of Diagonal Calculation

Details: Calculating the diagonal is important in construction, design, and various engineering applications where precise measurements between opposite corners are needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the length and width in the same units (e.g., both in meters or both in inches). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for squares?
A: Yes, for squares where length = width, the formula simplifies to \( d = l\sqrt{2} \).

Q2: What units should I use?
A: Any consistent units can be used (meters, feet, inches, etc.), but length and width must be in the same units.

Q3: Can I use this for 3D boxes?
A: No, this is for 2D rectangles. For 3D boxes, you would need to calculate the space diagonal using \( \sqrt{l^2 + w^2 + h^2} \).

Q4: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact, assuming precise measurements of length and width.

Q5: What's the relationship between diagonal and aspect ratio?
A: The diagonal helps determine the aspect ratio (width:height) of a rectangle, which is important in display technologies.