Question

Once Jeremy is on the fire escape he runs 2 feet to the staircase. He then runs across the width of the building. Which of the following equations will allow you to solve for the distance he runs up the stairs?
a. 4 + x2=52
b.5-42=x2
c.5+x2=42
d. 4 +52=x2 please help !! this is for geometry

Answer 1

Answer: Choice D.  4^2+5^2 = x^2

See note at the bottom

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The entire building is 20 feet. Fifteen feet of that is from the ground to the first landing of the stairs or fire escape. So 20-15 = 5 feet represents the height of the second set of stairs (leading to the roof of the building)

The base of the triangle is 4 feet as shown in the diagram. The height is 5 feet as found in the prior paragraph. Use the pythagorean theorem to say

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

4^2 + 5^2 = x^2

Note: If you meant to write 4^2+5^2 = x^2 for choice D, then that would be the answer. Otherwise, there is a typo somewhere.