The diagonal of a square is 2 inches. find the area of the square.

In a 45 45 90 triangle the sides are x by x by x*sqrt(2) respectively

therefore  x*sqrt(2) = 2   [the 2 that was mentioned in the question]

solving for x
x = 2 / sqrt(2) = sqrt(2)     [after rationalizing the denominator]

x = sqrt(2)    is now our side length

Area of Square = (side length)^2
so the Area of this Square = (sqrt(2))^2 = 2

therefore your answer is 2

First step is to get rid of the square root. remember that a square root is the same as raising to the (1/2) power. see below: multiply exponents per exponent rules to get: remember you subtract exponents from the denominator and add exponents in the numerator so: simplify further: so a is the correct choice. if you don't understand this google exponent rules and it will you understand. look at the image results.