SOLUTION: A 6m pole is to be stabilized by tying 6.5m of steel cable from a stake in the ground to a point 1m from the top of the polr. If 1, of cable is to be used for tying purposes, how f

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A 6m pole is to be stabilized by tying 6.5m of steel cable from a stake in the ground to a point 1m from the top of the polr. If 1, of cable is to be used for tying purposes, how f      Log On

Ad: Algebra Solved!™: algebra software solves algebra homework problems with step-by-step help!
Ad: Algebrator™ solves your algebra problems and provides step-by-step explanations!

   

Question 134838: A 6m pole is to be stabilized by tying 6.5m of steel cable from a stake in the ground to a point 1m from the top of the polr. If 1, of cable is to be used for tying purposes, how far from the base of the pole should the stake be placed?
Answer by solver91311(12126) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I think you meant to say 1 meter of cable is to be used for tying. At least I hope so, because I don't know how long 1, is.

1 meter down from the top of the pole makes one side of the triangle 5 meters. Using 1 meter of the 6.5 meter cable for tying leaves 5.5 meters for the hypotenuse of the triangle.

Pythagoras says: a=sqrt%28c%5E2-b%5E2%29 where b=5 and c=5.5=11%2F2

a=sqrt%28%2811%2F2%29%5E2-5%5E2%29

a=sqrt%28121%2F4-25%29

a=sqrt%28121%2F4-100%2F4%29=sqrt%2821%2F4%29=sqrt%2821%29%2F2 meters