Question

A tree is supported by a wire anchored in the ground 20 feet from it's base.. The wire is 7 feet longer than the height that it reaches on the tree..Find the length of the wire

Answer 1

draw a picture first

Answer 2

Try applying the pythagorean theorem.

Answer 3

i dont know how to do that?

Answer 4

side1^2 + side2^2 = hypotenuse^2

Answer 5

\[(7+h)^{2} = 20^{2} + h ^{2}\]

Answer 6

ok now i solve that right?

Answer 7

Yup. Just solve for h!

Answer 8

i got 16, and -16

Answer 9

remember, length can never be negative