Question

A flagpole stands perpendicular to the ground. It is supported by a 20-foot cable that runs from the top of the flagpole to the ground at a point that is 12 feet from the base of the pole. Find the height of the flagpole. The Pythagorean theorem is a2 b2

Answer 1

h = 16 feet

Explanation:

Pythagoras´ theorem establishes, that in a right triangle square of the hypothenuse (c²) is the sum of leg ( b²) plus leg (a²)

Then

c² = a² + b²

where according to the problem statement

(20)² = h² + (12)² ( h is the height of the flagpole )

h² = 400 - 144

h² = 256

h = √ 256

h = 16 feet