Question

if the driver looks 49 inches above the road bed, at what distances from the tower will the drivers eyes be at the same height as the cable?​

Answer 1

Replace h with 49 ( the given height) and solve for d ( distance).

49 = d^2 - 36d +324

Subtract 49 from both sides:

0 = d^2 - 36d + 275

Factor the polynomial, by finding two numbers when added together equal -36 and when multiplied equal 275.

(d-25)(d-11) = 0

Now solve for d by setting both equations to 0:

d-25 = 0

d = 25

d-11 = 0

d = 11

The two distances would be 11 yards and 25 yards.