document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=272872>Question 272872</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I have been working on this problem and can't seem to figure it out. I was wondering if someone could help me? Please and Thank you!! I would deeply appreciate it!\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Two vertical poles have heights 6 ft and 12 ft. A rope is stretched from the top of each pole to the bottom of the other. How far above the ground do the ropes cross? (hint: The lengths y and z do not affect the answer.) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #199446 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=richwmiller><B>richwmiller(17219)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=richwmiller><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=richwmiller><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=199446\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> One way to solve is to plot it on a coordinate plane.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "one pole is 12 and the other is 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "let's put the 12 ft at (0,0) and the 6 ft pole 6 away at 6,0.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the top of the 12ft pole will be at 0,12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "the top of the 6 ft pole will be at 6,6\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "the lines will be from 0,12 to 6,0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and from 0,0 to 6,0\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "so find the equations of the lines going through 0,12 and 6,0 and from 0,0 to 6,0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "and find where they cross<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=mx+b and (y-y)/(x-x)=m<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12-0/0-6=12/-2=-2=m<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12=-2*0+b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12=b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=-2x+12<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2nd line<BR>\n" );
document.write( "6-0/6-0=m<BR>\n" );
document.write( "0=1*0+b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "0=b<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=1*x+0<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "so now we solve the system of equations<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=-2x+12 and y=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-2x+12=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "12=3x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4=x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4=y<BR>\n" );
document.write( "They cross at 4,4 so they cross 4 ft above the ground.<BR>\n" );
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