Please helpp...? The figure below shows the storage space under a stairway in Nina’s house. Nina plans to utilize the storage space and make shelves. She wants to fix a wood beam, represented by segment RX in the figure, to support a shelf.

What is the length of the beam? SHOW ALL THE STEPS you used to find your answer. (picture below)

Question

Please helpp...? The figure below shows the storage space under a stairway in Nina’s house. Nina plans to utilize the storage space and make shelves. She wants to fix a wood beam, represented by segment RX in the figure, to support a shelf.
 
What is the length of the beam? SHOW ALL THE STEPS you used to find your answer. (picture below)

anonymous · Answer

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saifoo.khan · Answer

i think we will use similar triangles over here.

anonymous · Answer

to solve this ?

saifoo.khan · Answer

yes.. but i forgot how to use it ;D

anonymous · Answer

haha its ohk.. but wait yu need similar triangles to try and find the length of segment RX ?

saifoo.khan · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

so we have to find the length on the leg of the small triangle ? cuz that's the beam in the picture..

saifoo.khan · Answer

no, i just broke the fig into two pieces.. 
Forgot how to solve! ;D

anonymous · Answer

haha ohk ill try it (: thanks saifoo !(:

anonymous · Answer

PX = 10 - 3.6 = 6.4 ft
RX = sqrt ( 6.4 * 3.6 ) = 4.8 ft