Understanding how to know which sides to label

[yo4561]

Hi MP,

Question 1: If you are told a rectangle is 6 by 14, how do you know which side to make the height and width? Is the first number always the height and what follows the "by" always the width?
Question 2: If you are given "shape ABCD" in a problem and want to draw it on your paper, does it matter how you go about this (are there cases for different shapes where you need to labor one corner A, the corner across from it B, etc.)?

[TiffanyB]

Hello yo4561,

Question 1: If you are told a rectangle is 6 by 14, how do you know which side to make the height and width? Is the first number always the height and what follows the "by" always the width?

The length of the rectangle refers to the longest side of the rectangle.

Question 2: If you are given "shape ABCD" in a problem and want to draw it on your paper, does it matter how you go about this (are there cases for different shapes where you need to labor one corner A, the corner across from it B, etc.)?

If there are particular specifications that you need to follow to be successful, the problem information should provide those. In general, the GMAT typically labels corners starting in the upper left and moving clockwise around the shape. That is not critical for you to do, but if you prefer to follow their conventions then you certainly can!