Another math question

ugabulldog

When I am "squaring up" a rectangle foundation etc...rather than pulling the tape diagionally until the measurment is the same, is there a formula that will tell you the correct diagonal measurement. My dimensions are 30' x 20'. Thanks

kc5oh

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

30^2 + 20^2 = c^2

c^2 = 1300

c=36.0555

Git

There is the 3 4 5 rule to determine a right angle. Start in a corner, go one way and make a mark at 3'. Then go the other way and mark at 4'. The diagonal measurement between the marks should be 5'

For larger jobs like yours, multiply the 3 4 5 by a number - for example, 5. So 3 4 5 becomes 15 20 25

hope this helps

MacRoadie

Yep, feller by the name of Pythagoras came up with it...

ugabulldog

that names sounds familiar, was he in my geometry class??? And I thought I'd never use all those formulas...