I am having trouble doing a word problem. I know I am supposed to use the pythagorean theorem but I just can't figure it out. Please help! The problem goes like this:

A guy wire of length 50 feet is attched to the ground and to the top of an antenna. The height of the antenna is 10 feet larger than the distance from the base of the antenna to the point where the guy wire is attached to the ground. What is the height of the antenna?

Let x=the distance form the antennae to the wire(adjacent side of triangle).

Then x+10 is the height of the antennae(opposite side of triangle).

Now, ol' Pythagoras.

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Originally Posted by tbirch

I am having trouble doing a word problem. I know I am supposed to use the pythagorean theorem but I just can't figure it out. Please help! The problem goes like this:

A guy wire of length 50 feet is attched to the ground and to the top of an antenna. The height of the antenna is 10 feet larger than the distance from the base of the antenna to the point where the guy wire is attached to the ground. What is the height of the antenna?

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answer is 5

No, the answer is not 5. Think about it. Do you think the antenna is only 5 feet tall? That doesn't make much sense, does it? The antenna is 10 feet larger than the distance from the base to the point. How could it be 5 if it is 10 feet taller?

Expand out your equation and factor to solve for x. You can also use the Quadratic formula, but it's better to factor, I think.







Now, solve

Oops that was meant to be a disagree! :rolleyes: