Question

PLEASE HELP HURRY

There is a platform already built at one of the trees. Using that platform as the start of the ride, the cable is attached to tree 20 feet above the ground. You ask Matt to determine the distance the brake anchor has to be placed away from the base of the ending tree so the just reach the tree. • Matt measures 20 feet away from the base of the tree because the bungee cord is 20 feet long. • He adds 15 extra feet, to allow the bungee cord to stretch to capacity. • Matt places the brake anchor 35 feet from the base of the ending tree.

Matt's anchor is not at the correct distance from the tree.
What is the flaw in Matt's process?
Find the distance the brake anchor should be placed away from the base of the tree so the brake will just reach the tree.
Explain to Matt how you found the distance. Justify your reasoning mathematically

Answer 1

Matt's process is flawed because he did not take into account the height of the platform.

To find the correct distance for the brake anchor, we need to use the Pythagorean Theorem.

Let x be the distance from the base of the ending tree to the brake anchor.

Then we have:

x^2 + 20^2 = (20 + 15)^2

Simplifying:

x^2 + 400 = 1225

x^2 = 825

x = sqrt(825)

x is approximately 28.7 feet.

Therefore, the brake anchor should be placed approximately 28.7 feet from the base of the ending tree.

To explain this to Matt, I would say that he needs to take into account the height of the platform when measuring the distance from the base of the ending tree to the brake anchor. Then, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the correct distance.