SOLUTION: A guy wire is attached to a telephone pole. The distance from the point where the wire touches the ground to the base of the telephone pole is 4 feet less than the length of the wi

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A guy wire is attached to a telephone pole. The distance from the point where the wire touches the ground to the base of the telephone pole is 4 feet less than the length of the wi      Log On


   

Question 1186306: A guy wire is attached to a telephone pole. The distance from the point where the wire touches the ground to the base of the telephone pole is 4 feet less than the length of the wire. How far up the telephone pole is the wire attached if the distance from the ground to where the wire is attached to the pole is 2 feet less than the length of the wire?
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
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A guy wire is attached to a telephone pole. The distance from the point where the wire touches the ground
to the base of the telephone pole is 4 feet less than the length of the wire. How far up the telephone pole is
highlight%28where%29 the wire highlight%28is%29 attached if the distance from the ground to where the wire is attached to the pole
is 2 feet less than the length of the wire?
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Right angled triangle.


The hypotenuse = x  feet = the length of the wire.


Horizontal leg = (x-4) ft.


Vertical leg (the unknown value under the problem's question) is  (x-2) ft.



The Pythagorean equation is


    x^2 = (x-4)^2 + (x-2)^2.


You can solve it formally, but the answer is OBVIOUS:


it is classic (3,4,5)-right angled triangle with sides (6,8,10) feet.


Vertical leg is 8 feet.


ANSWER.  How far up the telephone pole is where the wire is attached = 8 feet.

Solved, answered and explained.

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