SOLUTION: I need some help understanding the steps for this question. Could someone help please? Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve the following: The bottom of a 25 foot plank is pl

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Question 374317: I need some help understanding the steps for this question. Could someone help please?
Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve the following:
The bottom of a 25 foot plank is placed approximately 7 feet from the side of a barn.
Approximately how far up the barn wall will the plank reach?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Notice that when you do as the problem instructs, you form a right triangle whose hypotenuse is the plank (25ft.) and whose base is the distance from the bottom of the plank to the side of the barn (7ft.).
The hypotenuse (labeled c) and the base (labeled b) can be used as b and c in the Pythagorean theorem. The height reached by the top of the plank will be repesented by a:
c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2 Substitute c = 25 and b = 7.
25%5E2+=+a%5E2%2B7%5E2 Simplify.
625+=+a%5E2%2B49 Subtract 49 from both sides
576+=+a%5E2 Finally, take the square root of both sides.
24+=+a
The plank will reach exactly 24 feet up the barn wall.