Question

A supporting wire is to be attached to the top of a 43 foot antenna. If the wire must be anchored 43 feet from the base of the antenna, what length of wire is required?

Answer 1

Answer: The length of the wire is 60.81 feet

Explanation:

Hi, since the antenna and the distance from the base to the point of the anchor form a right triangle (see attachment)

We can apply the Pythagorean Theorem

c2 = a2+b2

Where c is the hypotenuse of the triangle (the longest side, or the wire in this case) and a and b are the other 2 sides.

Replacing with the values given and solving for c:

c²= 43²+43²

c =√(43²+43²)

c =√(1849+1849)

c =√3689

c = 60.81 feet