Question 428782
A flag pole is 8 ft. high. It casts a shadow that is 6 ft. long.
 What is the distance between the top of the pole and the top of the shadow?
:
Using the universal pythag formula: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
The pole (a) forms a right angle with the ground (b), distance from pole to
end of shadow is the hypotenuse, (always opposite the right angle) (c)
8^2 + 6^2 = c^2
64 + 36 = c^2
100 = c^2
c = {{{sqrt(100)}}}
c = 10 ft 
:
Minh is flying a kite. The kite string is 30 ft. long. The kite is 20 ft. off the ground. 
How far from the end of the string to being underneath the kite?
:
In this case the hypotenuse (c) is given, the kite string, and the height (b), s
a = distance to a point underneath the kite
:
a^2 + 20^2 = 30^2
a^2 + 400 = 900
a^2 = 900 - 400
a^2 = 500
a = {{{sqrt(500)}}}
a = 22.36 ft to a point right below the kite