document.write( "Question 764714: A Christmas tree is supported by a wire that is 1 foot longer than the height of the tree. The wire is anchored at a point whose distance from the base of the tree is 49 feet shorter than the height of the tree. what is the height of the tree? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #465711 by dkrall(2) ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! Use Pythagorean theorem x^2+y^2=r^2, where y =(distance from base), x= (hight of tree) and r= (length of wire supporting the tree and solve for x.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The wire(r) is 1 foot longer than the hight(y), so r=(y+1). The distance from the anchor and the base of the tree is 49 feet shorter than the hight. So x=(y-49)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Which equals (x-49)^2+x^2=(x+1)^2. Now solve for x.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(x-49)^2+x^2=(x+1)^1 Which can then be factored as:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x^2+(x-49)(x-49)=(x+1)(x+1)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2x^2-98x+2401=x^2+2x+1\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Combine terms:\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x^2-100x+2400=0, Which comes out to be: (x-60)(x-40)=0\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So x=60 or x=40. Test each x value (hight) to determine which one works, so base(y)= (60-49) ect.. \n" ); document.write( "Since 40 would make the base a negative number, x can only equal 60.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |