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The backboard of the basketball hoop forms a right angle with the supporting rods, as shown. Use the Pythagorean theorem to approximate the distance between the rods where they meet the backboard. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth

The backboard of the basketball hoop forms a right angle with the supporting rods-example-1

1 Answer

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Answer

x = 9.14 inches

Step-by-step explanation

The Pythagoras Theorem is used for right angled triangle, that is, triangles that have one of their angles equal to 90 degrees.

The side of the triangle that is directly opposite the right angle or 90 degrees is called the hypotenuse. It is normally the longest side of the right angle triangle.

The Pythagoras theorem thus states that the sum of the squares of each of the respective other sides of a right angled triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse. In mathematical terms, if the two other sides are a and b respectively,

a² + b² = (hyp)²

For this triangle,

a = x

b = 9.8 inches

hyp = 13.4 inches

a² + b² = (hyp)²

x² + 9.8² = 13.4²

x² + 96.04 = 179.56

x² = 179.56 - 96.04

x² = 83.52

Take the square root of both sides

√(x²) = √(83.52)

x = 9.14 inches

Hope this Helps!!!

User Ericzma
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