SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem: A carpenter needs to cut a brace to support a vertical wall stud. The brace should be 7 feet less than 3 times the length of the stud. If

Question 131746: Please help me solve this word problem:
A carpenter needs to cut a brace to support a vertical wall stud. The brace should be 7 feet less than 3 times the length of the stud. If the brace will be anchored on the floor 15 feet away from the stud, how long should the brace be? (Hint: the brace is the hypotenuse.)
Answer by checkley71(8403) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
a^2+b^2=c^2
x^2+15^2=(3x-7)^2
x^2+225=9x^2-42x+49
9x^2-x^2-42x+49-225=0
8x^2-42x-176=0
2(4x^2-21x-88)=0
2(4x+11)(x-8)=0
4x+11=0
4x=-11
x=-11/4
x=-2.75 answer.
x-8=0
x=8 answer.

RELATED QUESTIONS
Please help me solve this word problem: A carpenter needs to cut a brace to support a... (answered by checkley71)

I can't seem to figure this problem out. The answer is probably staring me in the face. (answered by stanbon)

9. A 150-ft diagonal brace on a bridge connects a support of the center of the bridge to... (answered by jim_thompson5910)

Could someone help me with this word problem.I do not have a clue on how to do this. A... (answered by mananth)

Hi, I really need help with this please? A 15-ft diagonal brace on a bridge connects a (answered by Theo)

I am having a nightmare with this one. Can someone please help me. A 75-ft diagonal... (answered by stanbon,Earlsdon)

I am lost on this word problem. Would it be a polynomial to be factored or the product of (answered by mananth)

A carpenter adds a diagonal brace to a rectangular frame as shown. If the carpenter wants (answered by fractalier)

How long must the brace be on a closet rod holder if the vertical side is 17 cm and the... (answered by josmiceli)