Question

MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS The fire escape forms a right triangle, as shown. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to approximate the distance between the two platforms. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

Answer:

$x = 14.13ft$

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

See attachment for illustration

Required

Find x

To do this, we apply Pythagoras theorem.

From the attachment, the length of the hypotenuse is 16.7ft

While the length of the opposite/adjacent is 8.9ft

Length x is calculated using:

$16.7^2 = 8.9^2 + x^2$

$x^2 = 16.7^2 - 8.9^2$

$x^2 = 199.68$

Take square roots

$x = \sqrt{199.68$

$x = 14.13ft$