SOLUTION: This is an application question which I am not sure how to make into an equation Engine failure forced Geraldine to pilot her Cessna 150 to an emergency landing. To land, Geraldi

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Question 76650This question is from textbook Developmental Mathematics
: This is an application question which I am not sure how to make into an equation
Engine failure forced Geraldine to pilot her Cessna 150 to an emergency landing. To land, Geraldine's plane glided 17,000 ft over a 15,000 ft stretch of deserted highway. From what altitude did the descent begin? This question is from textbook Developmental Mathematics

Answer by psbhowmick(878) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
While the plane is gliding it goes from C to A. AB is ground and BC is the altitude.



Apply Pythagorus theorem.
AC%5E2+=+AB%5E2+%2B+BC%5E2
or 17000%5E2+=+15000%5E2+%2B+BC%5E2
or BC%5E2+=+17000%5E2+-+15000%5E2
or BC%5E2+=+64000000
or BC+=+sqrt%2864000000%29
or BC+=+8000

So, the altitude of the plane from its starting point is 8000 ft.