Question 1

Why do we multiply by the square root of 2?

Accepted Answer

The diagonal creates a right-angled triangle with two sides of the square. According to the Pythagorean theorem (a&sup2; + b&sup2; = c&sup2;), since a=b, the diagonal equals the square root of (2 * side&sup2;).

Question 2

Does this work for rectangles too?

Accepted Answer

No, this specific formula only applies to squares. Rectangles require the calculation &radic;(length&sup2; + width&sup2;).

Square Diagonal