Question

A tree is supported by a wire anchored in the ground 6 feet from the base and the wire is 2 feet longer than the height that it reaches on the tree find the length of the wire

Answer 1

We will use the following diagram as a reference to solve the problem:

Using the Pythagorean theorem we get:

`(x-2)^2+6^2=x^2.`

Solving the above equation for x we get:

`\begin{gathered} x^2-2x+4+36=x^2, \\ -4x+40=0. \\ 4x=40. \\ x=10. \end{gathered}`

Answer: The length of the wire is 10 ft.