Use the image to answer the question.

A graph shows four quadrants with the x-axis and y-axis both ranging from negative 10 to positive 10 in increments of 1. Unlabeled points are plotted at left parenthesis negative 6 comma 8 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 4 comma 8 right parenthesis, left parenthesis 4 comma negative 3 right parenthesis, and left parenthesis negative 6 comma negative 3 right parenthesis. A straight line joins the four points forming a rectangle.
What is the length of the diagonal of the rectangle? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth, if necessary.

1 answer

To find the length of the diagonal of the rectangle formed by the points \( (-6, 8) \), \( (4, 8) \), \( (4, -3) \), and \( (-6, -3) \), we can use the distance formula.

First, we need to determine the coordinates of two opposite corners of the rectangle. We can select the points \( (-6, 8) \) and \( (4, -3) \).

The distance \( d \) between two points \( (x_1, y_1) \) and \( (x_2, y_2) \) is given by the formula:

\[ d = \sqrt{(x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2} \]

Substituting the coordinates \( (-6, 8) \) and \( (4, -3) \):

  • \( x_1 = -6 \), \( y_1 = 8 \)
  • \( x_2 = 4 \), \( y_2 = -3 \)

Now plug these values into the formula:

\[ d = \sqrt{(4 - (-6))^2 + (-3 - 8)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{(4 + 6)^2 + (-3 - 8)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{(10)^2 + (-11)^2} \] \[ d = \sqrt{100 + 121} \] \[ d = \sqrt{221} \]

Next, we compute the value of \( \sqrt{221} \):

\[ \sqrt{221} \approx 14.866 \]

Rounding this to the nearest hundredth, we find:

\[ \sqrt{221} \approx 14.87 \]

Thus, the length of the diagonal of the rectangle is approximately \( \boxed{14.87} \).