Question

Two poles, AB and ED, are fixed to the ground with the help of ropes AC and EC, as shown:

Two right triangles ABC and EDC have a common vertex C. Angle ABC and EDC are right angles. AB is labeled 11 feet, AC is labeled 13 feet, EC is labeled 10 feet, and ED is labeled 5 feet.

What is the approximate distance, in feet, between the two poles?

6.93 feet
8.66 feet
12.32 feet
15.59 feet

Answer 1

Do you know the Pythagorean Theorem?

Answer 2

ya

Answer 3

OK. Do you know how to use it to find the length of a leg of a triangle?

Answer 4

i dont how to do it this way

Answer 5

Do you know how to isolate the variable?

Answer 6

no

Answer 7

OK.
We're going to solve the equation I wrote for a.

Answer 8

\[11^2 + a^2 = 13^2 \\ subtract\ 11^2\ from\ both\ sides \\ a^2 = 13^2 - 11^2 \\ a^2 = 169 - 121 = 48 \\ a = \sqrt{48} \approx 6.928\]

Answer 9

But that's just part of the answer!

Answer 10

aww thanks

Answer 11

The final answer will be a+b

Answer 12

Can you find b the same way I found a?