SOLUTION: A flagpole was broken over by the wind. The upper part,still attached,reached a point on the level ground 4 meters from its base. If the upper part is 2 meters longer than the lowe

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: A flagpole was broken over by the wind. The upper part,still attached,reached a point on the level ground 4 meters from its base. If the upper part is 2 meters longer than the lowe      Log On


   

Question 1104259: A flagpole was broken over by the wind. The upper part,still attached,reached a point on the level ground 4 meters from its base. If the upper part is 2 meters longer than the lower part,how tall was the pole?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let y be the length of the lower part still attached to the ground. Drawing the triangle figure, legs y and 4, and hypotenuse y+2. You want to know y%2B%28y%2B2%29.

Right triangle, right angle where y and the 4 meet.

y%5E2%2B4%5E2=%28y%2B2%29%5E2
.
.
y=3

Original unbroken flag pole, 3%2B%283%2B2%29=highlight%288%29 meters.