Question

The gable end of the roof shown is divided in half by a vertical brace. Find the distance h (in ft) from an eave to the peak. 41 feet (height) 80 feet (width) h = _________ ft.

Answer 1

Answer:

h = 9 ft  

Step-by-step explanation:

Assume the diagram is like the one below.

∆ABD is a right triangle.

We can use Pythagoras' Theorem to find the height h.

$\begin{array}{rcl}h^{2} + 40^{2} & = & 41^{2}\\h^{2} + 1600 & = & 1681\\h^{2} & = & 1681 - 1600\\& = &81\\h& = & \sqrt{81}\\&=& \mathbf{9}\end{array}\\\text{The height of the gable is \large \boxed{\textbf{9 ft}} }$