Question

30 ft cable extends from the floor of the lookout of a fire tower. The cable is anchored to the ground 18 ft away from the base of the tower. What is the height of the floor of the lookout tower? And could you also explain why?

Answer 1

Using the Pythagorean theorem:

b = √(c^2 - a^2)

b = √(30^2 - 18^2)

b = √(900 - 324)

b = √576

b = 24 feet