Question

A 30 foot pole is supported by two wires that extend from the top of the pole to points that are each 8 feet from the base of the pole. Find the total length of the two wires. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.

Answer 1

If using the Pythagorean Theorem, you would do 30^2 ( leg ) + 8^2 ( base leg ) = c^2 in the case , c^2 = 964 . So C= 31.0483 , this is only the length of ONE wore there fore you can multiply this length times two and get you answer of 62.1

Answer 2

Answer: 31.05 feet

Explanation:

Hi, to answer this question we have to apply the Pythagorean theorem since the situation forms a right triangle. (the pole and the ground form a 90° angle).

x ^2= 30 ^2 + 8^2

Where x is the length of the wires.

Solving for x:

x ^2 = 900+64

x^2 = 964

x = √964

x = 31.05 feet

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