A mailbox opening is 4.5 inches high and 5 inches wide. Determine the widest piece of mail able to ?t in the mailbox without bending?

a. 9.5 inches

b. 2.2 inches

c. 6.7 inches

d. 8.9 inches

c. The widest piece of mail will be same to the length of the diagonal of the mailbox. The width, 4.5 in, will be a leg of the right triangle. The height, 5 in, will be other leg of the right triangle. We can solve for the hypotenuse, which is the diagonal of the mailbox, using the Pythagorean theorem; a² + b² = c² or 4.5² + 5² = c². Solve for c, 20.25 + 25 = c²; 45.25 = c²; c = 6.7. If you select a, you assigned the legs the values of 4.5 and 10; 10 is incorrect. If you select b, you assigned the legs the values of 5 and 10. Again, 10 is incorrect.