Question

The Varners live on a corner lot. Often, children cut across their lot to save walking distance. The children’s path is represented by a dashed line. Approximate the walking distance that is saved by cutting across their property instead of walking around the lot. Hypotenuse: 32 ft , Short leg: x , Long leg: x+6

Answer 1

`x= √(503)-3`

Explanation:

Hypotenuse = 32 feet

Short leg = x

Long leg = x+6

We will use Pythagoras theorem

`Hypotenuse^2=Perpendicular^2+Base^2`

`32^2=x^2+(x+6)^2`

`1024=x^2+x^2+36+12x`

`2x^2+12x-988=0`

`x=-3-√(503), √(503)-3`

Since the distance cannot be negative

So,
`x= √(503)-3`