Intermediate Geometry : How to find the length of the side of a kite

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Intermediate Geometry

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Example Questions

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

The diagonals of a kite are \(\displaystyle 14\) inches and \(\displaystyle 24\) inches respectively. Two of the sides of the kite are each \(\displaystyle 13\) inches. Find the length of the other two sides.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 20 in.\)

\(\displaystyle 12 in.\)

\(\displaystyle 16 in.\)

\(\displaystyle 15 in.\)

\(\displaystyle 13 in.\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 15 in.\)

Explanation:

 

We would do best to begin with a picture.

13

One of our diagonals is bisected by the other, and thus each half is 12.  The other important thing to recall is that the diagonals of a kite are perpendicular.  Therefore we have four right triangles.  We can then use the Pythagorean Theorem to calculate the upper portion of the vertical diagonal to be 5.  That means that the bottom portion of our diagonal is 9.

13

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we can calculate our remaining sides to be 15.

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

A kite has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 26\) inches. One pair of adjacent sides of the kite have a length of \(\displaystyle 6\) inches. What is the measurement for each of the other two sides of the kite? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{6}{5}in\)

\(\displaystyle 7in\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}in\)

\(\displaystyle 6in\)

\(\displaystyle 20in\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7in\)

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 26=2(6+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{26}{2}=(6+b)\)

\(\displaystyle 13=6+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=13-6=7\)

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

A kite has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 50\) mm. One pair of adjacent sides of the kite have lengths of \(\displaystyle 12\) mm. What is the measurement for one of the other two sides of the kite?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6mm\)  

\(\displaystyle 13mm\) 

\(\displaystyle 8mm\)  

\(\displaystyle 24mm\)  

\(\displaystyle 14mm\)  

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 13mm\) 

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 50=2(12+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{50}{2}=12+b\)

\(\displaystyle 25=12+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=25-12=13\)


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

A kite has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 34\) inches. One pair of adjacent sides of the kite have lengths of \(\displaystyle 14\) inches. What is the measurement for one of the other two sides of the kite?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4in\)

\(\displaystyle 1in\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{7}{2}in\)

\(\displaystyle 3in\)

\(\displaystyle 7in\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3in\)

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 34=2(14+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{34}{2}=14+b\)

\(\displaystyle 17=14+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=17-14=3\)

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

Vt_custom_kite_series_int._geo

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

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{21}{2}cm\)

\(\displaystyle 9cm\)

\(\displaystyle 11cm\)

\(\displaystyle 21cm\)

\(\displaystyle 18cm\) 

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 18cm\) 

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 58=2(11+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{58}{2}=11+b\)

\(\displaystyle 29=11+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=29-11=18\)

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

Vt_custom_kite_series_cont._

Using the kite shown above, find the length of side \(\displaystyle b\). (Note, the perimeter of this kite is equal to \(\displaystyle 2.5\) feet). 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4ft\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{12}{5}in\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}ft\)

\(\displaystyle 1.5ft\)

\(\displaystyle 1.25ft\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}ft\)

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 2.5 feet=2(0.5 foot+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2.5}{2}=(0.5+b)\)

\(\displaystyle 1.25=0.5+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=1.25-0.5=0.75=\frac{3}{4}\)

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

Ms. Dunn has a kite shaped backyard with a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 62\) yards. One pair of adjacent sides of the kite-shaped backyard each have lengths of \(\displaystyle 8\) yard. What is the measurement for one of the other two sides of the kite-shaped backyard?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 26yds\)

\(\displaystyle 7yds\)

\(\displaystyle 24yds\)

\(\displaystyle 18yds\)

\(\displaystyle 23yds\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 23yds\)

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 62=2(8+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{62}{2}=(8+b)\)

\(\displaystyle 31=8+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=31-8=23\)

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

A kite has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 138\) mm. One pair of adjacent sides of the kite have lengths of \(\displaystyle 33\) mm. What is the measurement for one of the other two sides of the kite?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 79mm\) 

\(\displaystyle 105mm\) 

\(\displaystyle 26mm\) 

\(\displaystyle 36mm\) 

\(\displaystyle 69mm\) 

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 36mm\) 

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 138=2(33+b)\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{138}{2}=33+b\)

\(\displaystyle 69=33+b\)

\(\displaystyle b=69-33=36\)

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

Kite_series_cont....

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

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5in\)

\(\displaystyle 12in\)

\(\displaystyle 11.5in\)

\(\displaystyle 10.5in\)

\(\displaystyle 5.5in\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5.5in\)

Explanation:

To find the missing side of this kite, work backwards using the formula:

\(\displaystyle p=2(a+b)\), where \(\displaystyle a\) and \(\displaystyle b\) represent the length of one side from each of the two pairs of adjacent sides. 

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle 30=2(9.5+a)\)

\(\displaystyle 30=19+2a\)

\(\displaystyle 2a=30-19=11\)

\(\displaystyle a=\frac{11}{2}=5.5\)






Example Question #7 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Kite

The lengths of the non-adjacent sides of a kite have the ratio \(\displaystyle 4:1\). If the longer sides have a length of \(\displaystyle 12\) cm, what is the length of each of the shorter two sides? 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{12}cm\) 

\(\displaystyle 4cm\) 

\(\displaystyle 3cm\) 

\(\displaystyle 1.5cm\) 

\(\displaystyle 19cm\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3cm\) 

Explanation:

The sides have the ratio \(\displaystyle 4:1\), thus the longer sides must be \(\displaystyle 4\) times greater than the smaller sides.

Since the longer sides are \(\displaystyle 12\) cm, the shorter sides must be: 

\(\displaystyle 12\div4=3\)

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