Can diagonal vectors prove that orthogonal diagonals create a square rectangle?

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In summary, a rectangle with orthogonal diagonals can be proven to be a square by setting up a coordinate system and using vectors. The dot product of the two diagonals must be 0, leading to the conclusion that the sides of the rectangle must have equal length.
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kidia
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I have problem on this one:

Using vectors,show that if a diagonals of rectangle are orthogonal then the rectangle must be square.
 
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Set up a coordinate system so that one corner of the rectangle is at the origin, the two sides are along the positive x and y axes. Then the corners of the rectangle are at (0,0), (w,0), (0,h), (w,h).

One of the diagonals, from (0,0) to (w,h) is given by the vector wi+ hj.
The other, from (w,0) to (0,h) is given by the vector -wi+ hj

If the two diagonals are orthogonal then their dot product must be 0.

What IS the dot product of wi+ hj and -wi+ hj?

What does that tell you about w and h?
 
  • #3
super,thanx professor
 

What is the diagonal of a rectangle?

The diagonal of a rectangle is the line segment that connects two opposite corners of the rectangle.

How do you find the diagonal of a rectangle?

The diagonal of a rectangle can be found using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that the square of the length of the diagonal is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the two sides.

What is the formula for finding the diagonal of a rectangle?

The formula for finding the diagonal of a rectangle is d = √(l2 + w2), where d is the diagonal, l is the length, and w is the width of the rectangle.

Can the diagonal of a rectangle be longer than its sides?

No, the diagonal of a rectangle can never be longer than its sides. It is always equal to or less than the sum of the lengths of the two sides.

Why is the diagonal of a rectangle important?

The diagonal of a rectangle is important in various fields such as geometry, engineering, and architecture. It is used to calculate the area, perimeter, and other properties of a rectangle. It is also used in construction to ensure that the corners of a rectangle are perfectly aligned.

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