Problem One
Givens
The length of the ladder is 13 feet.
The distance from the foundation to a point where the ladder is safe to start from = 5 feet.
Find
The height of the house
Formula
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a =5
b = house height
c = 13
Sub and solve
5^2 + b^2 = 13^2
25 + b^2 = 169 subtract 25 from both sides.
b^2 = 169 - 25
b^2 = 144 Take the square root of both sides.
b =sqrt(144)
b = 12
The house is 12 feet high. <<<<< answer
Problem Two
Givens
height of flagpole = 9
Distance to the hook = 12 feet
Rope length = ??
Formula
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Sub and solve
9^2 + 12^2 = c^2
81 + 144 = c^2
c^2 = 225 Take the square root of both sides.
sqrt(c^2) = sqrt(225)
c= 15
Problem Three
Givens
T = 1 hour (not needed)
c = 20 miles
b = eastbound boat = 12 miles
a = northbound boat = ????
Formula
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
Sub and solve
a^2 + 12^2 = 20^2
a^2 + 144 = 400 Subtract 144 from both sides.
a^2 = 400 - 144
a^2 = 256 Take the square root of both sides.
sqrt(a^2) = sqrt(256)
a = 16
The northbound boat has gone 16 miles
