Question

A post 47m high is supported by wires attached to its top and to a point on level ground, 18m from the foot of the post. Find the length of each wire.

Answer 1

The answer is 50.33

Answer 2

We need to use the pythagorean theorem

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

where a and b are the legs, and c is the hypotenuse

47^2 + 18^2 = c^2

c = sqrt(2533)

c = 50.33

The length of the wire is 50.33 meters.

(See attached image.)