ACT Math : Geometry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Kite

A kite has two perpendicular interior diagonals. One diagonal has a measurement of \(\displaystyle 40\) and the area of the kite is \(\displaystyle 1\textup{,}800\textup{ units}^{2}\). Find the sum of the two perpendicular interior diagonals.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 50\)

\(\displaystyle 3\textup{,}000\)

\(\displaystyle 130\)

\(\displaystyle 45\)

\(\displaystyle 80\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 130\)

Explanation:

You must find the length of the missing diagonal before you can find the sum of the two perpendicular diagonals. 

To find the missing diagonal, apply the area formula: 




This question provides the area of the kite and length of one diagonal, plug that information into the equation to solve for the missing diagonal. 


\(\displaystyle 1800=\frac{40\times diagonal B}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 1800\times2=40\times diagonalB\)

\(\displaystyle 3,600=40(diagonalB)\)

\(\displaystyle diagonal B=\frac{3,600}{40}=90\)

Therefore, the sum of the two diagonals is: 

\(\displaystyle 90+40=130\)

Example Question #11 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Kite

A kite has two perpendicular interior diagonals. One diagonal has a measurement of \(\displaystyle 17\) and the area of the kite is \(\displaystyle 51\textup{ units}^{2}\). Find the sum of the two perpendicular interior diagonals.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 18\)

\(\displaystyle 46\)

\(\displaystyle 23\)

\(\displaystyle 13\)

\(\displaystyle 11\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 23\)

Explanation:

First find the length of the missing diagonal before you can find the sum of the two perpendicular diagonals. 

To find the missing diagonal, apply the area formula: 




This question provides the area of the kite and length of one diagonal, plug that information into the equation to solve for the missing diagonal. 


\(\displaystyle 51=\frac{17\times diagonal B}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 51\times2=17\times diagonalB\)

\(\displaystyle 102=17(diagonalB)\)

\(\displaystyle diagonal B=\frac{102}{17}=6\)

Therefore, the sum of the two diagonals is: 

\(\displaystyle 17+6=23\)

Example Question #11 : Kites

A kite has two perpendicular interior diagonals. One diagonal has a measurement of \(\displaystyle 38\textup{cm}\) and the area of the kite is \(\displaystyle 855\textup{cm}^{2}\). Find the length of the other interior diagonal.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 45\textup{cm}\)

\(\displaystyle 15\textup{cm}\)

\(\displaystyle 33\textup{cm}\)

\(\displaystyle 48\textup{cm}\)

\(\displaystyle 22.5\textup{cm}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 45\textup{cm}\)

Explanation:

This problem can be solved by applying the area formula: 



Since this question provides the area of the kite and length of one diagonal, plug that information into the equation to solve for the missing diagonal. 

Thus the solution is: 

\(\displaystyle 855=\frac{38\times diagonal B}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 855\times2=38\times diagonalB\)

\(\displaystyle 1,710=38(diagonalB)\)

\(\displaystyle diagonal B=\frac{1,710}{38}=45\)

Example Question #261 : Plane Geometry

The long diagonal of a kite measures \(\displaystyle 13\) inches, and cuts the shorter diagonal into two pieces. If one of those pieces measures \(\displaystyle 4\) inches, what is the length in inches of the short diagonal?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 11in\)

\(\displaystyle 6in\)

\(\displaystyle 8in\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle 10in\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8in\)

Explanation:

The long diagonal of a kite always bisects the short diagonal. Therefore, if one side of the bisected diagonal is \(\displaystyle 4\) inches, the entire diagonal is \(\displaystyle 8\) inches. It does not matter how long the long diagonal is.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

A kite has two adjacent sides both with a measurement of \(\displaystyle 8\). The perimeter of the kite is \(\displaystyle 30\). Find the length of one of the remaining two sides.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

\(\displaystyle 16\)

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{8}{3}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. Since, this problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite, find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided. Then divide that remaining difference in half, because each of the two sides must have the same length.   

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 30=8+8+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 30=16+2(sides)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(sides)=30-16 = 14\)

\(\displaystyle side=\frac{14}{2}=7\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

A kite has two adjacent sides both with a measurement of \(\displaystyle 92\). The perimeter of the kite is \(\displaystyle 300\). Find the length of one of the remaining two sides.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 84\)

\(\displaystyle 184\)

\(\displaystyle 58\)

\(\displaystyle 116\)

\(\displaystyle 88\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 58\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. Since, this problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite, find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided. Then divide that remaining difference in half, because each of the two sides must have the same length.   

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 300=92+92+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 300=184+2(sides)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(sides)=300-184 = 116\)

\(\displaystyle side=\frac{116}{2}=58\)

Example Question #261 : Act Math

Kite vt act

Using the kite shown above, find the length of side \(\displaystyle x\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 226\)

\(\displaystyle 137\)

\(\displaystyle 213\)

\(\displaystyle 103\)

\(\displaystyle 113\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 113\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. Since, this problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite, find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided.    

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 500=137+137+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 500=274+2(sides)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(sides)=500-274 = 226\)
Since the remaining two sides have a total length of \(\displaystyle 226\), side \(\displaystyle x\) must be \(\displaystyle \frac{226}{2}=113\) 

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

A kite has two adjacent sides both with a measurement of \(\displaystyle 18\). The perimeter of the kite is \(\displaystyle 88\). Find the length of the sum of the remaining two sides.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 42\)

\(\displaystyle 52\)

\(\displaystyle 22\)

\(\displaystyle 26\)

\(\displaystyle 44\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 52\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. Since, this problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite, find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided.    

To find the sum of the remaining two sides:

\(\displaystyle 88=18+18+2(side)\)\(\displaystyle 188=40+40+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 88=36+2(side)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(side)=88-36=52\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

Kite vt act

The kite shown above has two adjacent sides both with a measurement of \(\displaystyle 12\). The perimeter of the kite is \(\displaystyle 38\). Find the sum of the remaining two sides.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 14.5\)

\(\displaystyle 7.5\)

\(\displaystyle 7\)

\(\displaystyle 19\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. This problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite. Therefore, use the information that is provided to find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided in the question.    

To find the sum of the remaining two sides:

\(\displaystyle 38=12+12+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 38=24+2(side)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(side)=38-24=14\)

Example Question #6 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

A kite has two adjacent sides both with a measurement of \(\displaystyle 15\textup{ inches}\). The perimeter of the kite is \(\displaystyle 55\textup{ inches}\). Find the length of one of the remaining two sides.   

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 12.5\textup{ inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 15\textup{ inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 7.5\textup{ inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 25\textup{ inches}\)

\(\displaystyle 30\textup{ inches}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 12.5\textup{ inches}\)

Explanation:

A kite must have two sets of congruent adjacent sides. This question provides the length for one set of congruent adjacent sides, thus the two remaining sides must be congruent to each other. Since, this problem also provides the perimeter measurement of the kite, find the difference between the perimeter and the sum of the congruent adjacent sides provided. Then divide that remaining difference in half, because each of the two sides must have the same length.   

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 55=15+15+2(side)\), where \(\displaystyle side=\) one of the two missing sides. 

\(\displaystyle 55=30+2(sides)\)

\(\displaystyle 2(sides)=55-30 = 25\)

\(\displaystyle side=\frac{25}{2}=12.5\)

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