SOLUTION: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve A flagpole has a height of 16 yards. It will be supported by three cables, each of which is attached to the flagpole at a point of 4 yards bel

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve A flagpole has a height of 16 yards. It will be supported by three cables, each of which is attached to the flagpole at a point of 4 yards bel      Log On


   

Question 1153485: Use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve
A flagpole has a height of 16 yards. It will be supported by three cables, each of which is attached to the flagpole at a point of 4 yards below the top of the pole and attached to the ground at a point that is 9 yards from the base of the pole. find the total number of yards of cable that will be required.
Thank you again,
SYL
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A flagpole, cable, and the distance from the base of the pole form right triangle where a flagpole and the distance from the base of the pole are legs of the triangle, and the length of the cable is hypothenuse
given:
a flagpole has a height of 16+yards
three cables, each of which is attached to the flagpole at a point of 4 yards below the top of the pole, so now a part of flagpole which is one leg of the right triangle has a height of 12+yards (the length of the leg of the triangle)
cable is ached to the ground at a point that is 9 yards from the base of the pole, so the other leg is 9 yards
use Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the one cable c:
c%5E2=12%5E2%2B9%5E2
c%5E2=144%2B81
c%5E2=225
c=sqrt%28225%29
c=15yards
since we have three cables, total length will be 3%2A15=45yards