Question 557669
Call the height above ground where the crack was {{{ x }}} meters
The broken tree and the distance to the tip on the ground form
a right triangle.
The hypotenuse is {{{ 36 - x }}} meters
The sides are {{{ x }}}, and {{{ 24 }}}
{{{ x^2 + 24^2 = ( 36 - x )^2 }}}
{{{ x^2 + 24^2 = 36^2 - 72x + x^2 }}}
{{{ 24^2 = 36^2 - 72x }}}
{{{ 72x = 1296 - 576 }}}
{{{ 72x = 720 }}}
{{{ x = 10 }}}
He has to climb 10 meters
check answer:
{{{ 10^2 + 24^2 = ( 36 - 10 )^2 }}}
{{{ 100 + 576 = 26^2 }}}
{{{ 676 = 676 }}}
OK