# Diagonal – Definition with Examples

## Diagonals in Geometry

A polygon is defined as a flat or plane, two-dimensional closed shape bounded with straight sides. A diagonal is a line segment connecting the opposite vertices (or corners) of a polygon. In other words, a diagonal is a line segment connecting two non-adjacent vertices of a polygon. It joins the vertices of a polygon, excluding the edges of the figure. The following shapes have a diagonal drawn on them:

## History of the Diagonal

The word diagonal comes from the ancient Greek word diagonios, which means “from angle to angle.” Both Euclid and Strabo used it to describe a line that connects two vertices of a cuboid or a rhombus; later, it became known in Latin as diagonus (slanting line).

## Diagonals of Polygon

### Diagonal Formula

Diagonals for polygons of all shapes and sizes can be made and for every shape; there is a formula to determine the number of diagonals.

The number of diagonals in a polygon with n vertices = $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}$

So, from this formula, we can easily calculate the number of diagonals in a polygon.

The given table shows the number of diagonals in different polygons:

## Diagonals of Solid Shapes

Just like polygons, solid or 3D shapes also have diagonals. Based on the number of edges, the number and properties of diagonals vary for different solids. The following solids have some diagonals drawn on them:

## Length of a Diagonal

The length of diagonals of any shape depends on the dimensions of its sides.

### Length of Diagonal of Square

The length of the diagonal of a square can be derived using the Pythagoras theorem. A diagonal of a square divides it into two right-angled triangles. Applying the Pythagoras theorem, we can find the length of the diagonal (d) of a square with side (a) as a$\sqrt{2}$.

Diagonal length of a square with each side a units  = a$\sqrt{2}$ units

### Length of Diagonal of Rectangle

A diagonal of a rectangle divides it into two right-angled triangles. Applying the Pythagoras theorem, we can find the length of diagonal of a rectangle with length (l) and breadth (b) as

d$^{2}$ = l$^{2}$ + b$^{2}$

So, d = $\sqrt{l^{2} + b^{2}}$, where d is diagonal, l is length, and b is the breadth of the rectangle.

## Solved Examples

1. What is the total number of diagonals in a polygon of 12 sides?

Solution:

The number of diagonals in a polygon with n vertices = $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}$

Therefore, the number of diagonals in a polygon with 12 sides  = $\frac{12(12-3)}{2}$ = 54

1. What is the length of the diagonal of a square with each side 6 cm long?

Solution:

Side, a = 6 cm

Length of the diagonal = a $\times \sqrt{2}$

= 6 $\times \sqrt{2}$

=  6$\sqrt{2}$ cm

1. Rahul is strolling across a rectangular park that is 20 meters long and 15 meters wide. Determine the diagonal of the rectangular park.

Solution:

Length of the rectangular park = 20 m, Breadth of the rectangular park = 15 m

Length of the diagonal = $\sqrt{l^{2} + b^{2}}$

= $\sqrt{20^{2} + 15^{2}}$

= $\sqrt{400 + 225}$

= $\sqrt{625}$

= 25 m

## Practice Problems

### 1What is the total number of diagonals in a hexagon?

5
6
8
9
CorrectIncorrect
Number of diagonals in hexagon (6 vertices) = $\frac{6(6-3)}{2}$ = 9

### 2The length of the rectangle is thrice its breadth. Which of the following is the diagonal length if the rectangle's breadth is 2 cm?

$\sqrt{10}$ cm
2$\sqrt{10}$ cm
10 cm
20 cm
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 2$\sqrt{10}$ cm
Breadth and Length of the rectangle is 2 cm and 6 cm respectively.
Length of the Diagonal = $\sqrt{2^{2} + 6^{2}}$ = $\sqrt{4+36}$ = $\sqrt{40}$ = $2\sqrt{10}$ cm

### 3Which of the following is the perimeter of the square whose diagonal is 6$\sqrt{2}$ cm long?

6 cm
24 cm
3$\sqrt{2}$ cm
24$\sqrt{2}$ cm
CorrectIncorrect
Diagonal of a square with side length a is a$\sqrt{2}$ . Since a$\sqrt{2}$ = 6$\sqrt{2}$, a must be 6 cm.
Number of diagonals in a polygon with n vertices = $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}$ <br>
Number of diagonals in a pentagon = $\frac{5(5-3)}{2}$ = 5