SOLUTION: This problem is taken from a Chinese mathematics textbook called Chui-chang suan-shu, or Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, which was written about 250 B.C. A 10-ft-long stem o

Question 98575This question is from textbook College Algerbra
: This problem is taken from a Chinese mathematics textbook called Chui-chang suan-shu, or Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, which was written about 250 B.C. A 10-ft-long stem of bamboo is broken in such a way that its tip touches the ground t = 3 ft from the base of the stem, as shown in the figure. What is the height of the break? (Hint: Use the Pythagorean Theorem.) This question is from textbook College Algerbra

Answer by checkley71(8403) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
WHAT YOU HAVE IS A RIGHT TRIANGLE WITH A BASE=3, HEIGHT=X & HYPOTENUSE=(10-X)
3^3+X^2=(10-X)^2
9+X^2=100-20X+X^2 CANCEL OUT THE X^2 TERMS
9-100=-20X
-91=-20X
X=-91/-20
X=4.55 FEET ABOVE GROUND IS WHERE THE BAMBOO STEM IS BROKEN.
PROOF
3^2*4.55^2=(10-4.55)^2
9+20.70=5.45^2
29.70=29.70
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