square question

Question

Origami paper is always in the shape of a square. If you take the top corner of either side of an 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper and fold it to the lower opposite side and trim off the excess paper, this creates the square that we need. Then fold the top corner to the opposite corner to create a diagonal, which is a typical first step to most origami designs.

What are the dimensions of your paper square? What is the length of the diagonal? Write your answer in exact form (with a radical) and decimal form.

Answer 1

Looks like you'll have a square piece of paper, 8.5" x 8.5". Using the Pythagorean theorem, the diagonal or hypotenuse of a square with sides = 8.5" is H = √[(8.5)² + (8.5)²]. Answer is a little over 12".