SOLUTION: Two vertical poles have heights 7 ft. and 12 ft. A rope is stretched from the top of each poles to the bottom of the other. How far above the ground do the ropes cross?

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Question 1103264: Two vertical poles have heights 7 ft. and 12 ft. A rope is stretched from the top of each poles to the bottom of the other. How far above the ground do the ropes cross?
Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, richwmiller:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two vertical poles have heights 7 ft. and 12 ft. A rope is stretched from the top of each poles to the bottom of the other. How far above the ground do the ropes cross?
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7*12/(7+12) = 84/19 ft

Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One would think on first consideration that you might need to know how far apart they are, but you don't.
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/Triangles/Triangles.faq.question.178260.html
https://www.wyzant.com/resources/answers/65227/exactly_how_far_above_the_ground_do_the_ropes_cross
https://www.mathhomeworkanswers.org/220727/vertical-heights-stretched-bottom-other-exactly-above-ground
They cross at the product over the sum (7*12)/(7+12)