Question

A cable car travels 2236 m to climb a mountain that is 1000 m high. It then travels 1414 m to descend 1000 m on the other side of the mountain. A tunnel goes straight through the mountain, from the starting point to the endpoint of the cable car’s journey. How long is the tunnel? (Pythagorean Theorem)

Answer 1

Let S = starting point

Let ST = length of tunnel

SR = 1414 m

RT = 2236 m

Set up:

ST^2 + SR^2 = RT^2

ST^2 + (1414)^2 = (2236)

Solve for RT to find your answer.