ACT Math : How to find the length of the diagonal of a kite

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

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  and the area of the kite is . Find the sum of the two perpendicular interior diagonals.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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. 










Therefore, the sum of the two diagonals is: 

Example Question #21 : Kites

A kite has two perpendicular interior diagonals. One diagonal has a measurement of  and the area of the kite is . Find the length of the other interior diagonal.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

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: 







Example Question #21 : Kites

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

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

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

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