Question

You are building a ramp that uses a rectangular plank that is 16 ft long. The ramp must reach a height of 5 ft. How far from the building will the end of the plank be? *

Answer 1

Answer: 15.19 feet

Explanation:

Hi, since the situation forms a right triangle (see attachment) we have to apply the Pythagorean Theorem:

c^2 = a^2 + b^2

Where c is the hypotenuse of the triangle (in this case is the length of the plank) and a and b are the other sides.

Replacing with the values given:

16^2 = 5^2 + x^2

256=25 + x^2

256-25 = x^2

231 = x^2

√231 =x

15.19 ft =x

the plank will be 15.19 feet far from the building.

Feel free to ask for more if needed or if you did not understand something.