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

`x = 14.13ft`

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`