Question

How far is it from the lighthouse to the ship horizontally if the lighthouse is 20 ft tall and shines a beam to the ship 25 ft long?

Also, which statement is correct?

(1 point)
Responses

x = 225 feet; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the longest distance


x = 15 ft; the distance from the top of the lighthouse to the ship must be the longest distance

x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest distance


x = approximately 24.5 yards; from the top of the lighthouse to the boat must be the shortest distance

Answer 1

The distance from the lighthouse to the ship horizontally can be found using the Pythagorean theorem:

x^2 = 25^2 - 20^2
x^2 = 625 - 400
x^2 = 225
x = √225
x = 15 ft

Therefore, the correct statement is:

x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest distance

Answer 2

Are you sure explain

Answer 3

I apologize for the confusion in my previous response. Let me clarify:

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we have:

x^2 = 25^2 - 20^2
x^2 = 625 - 400
x^2 = 225
x = √225
x = 15 ft

So the correct statement is:

x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest distance.