Question

I don't really understand my teacher when she explained this

Answer 1

Since the figure is a right triangle, in this type of problem, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem.

`\text{ a}^2+b^2=c^2`

Before you apply the Pythagorean Theorem, make sure you arrange first the triangle this way to avoid confusion. Once you got it in the right position, it is easier to identify a, b and c.

In the given figure, a and c are the only given. b is the one that we will be looking for.

Since it is b that we are tasked to find out, let's rearrange the equation into a formula for b.

We get,

`\text{a}^2+b^2=c^2`

Let's make the variable b alone.

`a^2+b^2=c^2\text{ }\rightarrow a^2+b^2-a^2=c^2-a^2`
`b^2=c^2-a^2`
`b\text{ = }\sqrt[]{c^2-a^2}`

Given, a = 9 m and c = 41 m. Let's plug in the values to solve for b.

`\text{ b =}\sqrt[]{(41)^2-(9)^2}\text{ = }\sqrt[]{1681-81}`
`b\text{ = }\sqrt[]{1600}`
`\text{ b = 40 m}`

Therefore, the bottom of the slide is 40 m away from the ladder.

To put in the answer bubble. It is (+)(0)(0)(4)(0).(0)(0)