SOLUTION: 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 short

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Question 108769This question is from textbook
: 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? PLEASE HELP This question is from textbook

Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the tree, wire and base form a right triangle with the wire as the hypotenuse

let x="tree height" ... by Pythagoras, x^2+(x-49)^2=(x+1)^2 ... x^2+x^2-98x+2401=x^2+2x+1

x^2-100x+2400=0 ... (x-60)(x-40)=0