Question

The evacuation slide from an aircraft is shown. If the slide is 73 feet long, what is its height at the top in feet?

Answer 1

48 feet.

Explanation:

• given slide length: 73 feet long

• given base length: 55 feet long

using Pythagoras theorem:

a² + b² = c²

h² + 55² = 73²

h² = 73² - 55²

h² = 5329-3025

h² = 2304

h = √2304

h = 48

Answer 2

x = 48 ft

Explanation:

Pythagoras' Theorem: a² + b² = c²

(where a and b are the legs, and c is the hypotenuse, of a right triangle)

Given:

• a = x
• b = 55 ft
• c = 73 ft

Substitute the given values into the formula and solve for x:

⇒ x² + 55² = 73²

⇒ x² + 3025 = 5329

⇒ x² = 5329 - 3025

⇒ x² = 2304

⇒ x = ±√2304

⇒ x = ±48

Since distance is positive, x = 48 ft