SOLUTION: A wagon wheel is placed against a wall. One point on the edge of the wheel is 5 inches from the ground and 10 inches from the wall. What is the radius of the wheel?

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: A wagon wheel is placed against a wall. One point on the edge of the wheel is 5 inches from the ground and 10 inches from the wall. What is the radius of the wheel?       Log On


   

Question 200344: A wagon wheel is placed against a wall. One point on the edge of the wheel is 5 inches from the ground and 10 inches from the wall. What is the radius of the wheel?
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
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A wagon wheel is placed against a wall. One point on the edge of the wheel is 5 inches from the ground and 10 inches from the wall. What is the radius of the wheel?
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Think Pythagorean theorem.
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Draw a diagram -- the wheel is the hypotenuse while the wall and the floor forms the two sides of a right triangle.
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Let d = diameter of wheel
then
d^2 = 5^2 + 10^2
d^2 = 25 + 100
d^2 = 125
d = sqrt%28125%29
d = sqrt%285%2A5%2A5%29
d = 5sqrt%285%29
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Radius is half the diameter:
radius = %285%2F2%29sqrt%285%29 = 5.59 inches