Question 139624
picture both beams standing on the x-axis, with the 40 footer running up the y-axis
__ and the 30 footer some distance d in the positive x direction


let d="distance between beams" __ y=mx+b


1st cable __ y=(-40/d)x+40


2nd cable __ y=(30/d)x+0 __ yd/30=x


substituting __ y=(-40/d)(yd/30)+40 __ y=(-4y/3)+40 __ 7y/3=40 __ 7y=120 __ y=120/7 __ a little over 17 ft.