Question

A 12 foot pole is supported by a wire that extends from the top of the pole to a point that is 16 feet from the base of the pole. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the wire

Answer 1

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we have:

Length of wire^2 = Length of pole^2 + Distance from pole to base^2

Length of wire^2 = 12^2 + 16^2

Length of wire^2 = 144 + 256

Length of wire^2 = 400

Taking the square root of both sides, we have:

Length of wire = sqrt(400)

Length of wire = 20 feet