Question

The figure represents a ramp. What is the height of the ramp?
a) 2m
b) 4m
c) 8m
d) 2m

Answer 1

where's the figure?

Answer 2

Here it is

Answer 3

Are you familiar with The Pythagorean Theorem?

Answer 4

No I'm not. I just started learning this and I haven't really gone over it yet

Answer 5

Alright, so the Theorem states that A squared + B squared = C squared. This only works for right triangles. Your problem is a right triangle, so this works. Side C must always be the hypotenuse, which is always the diagonal side.

Let's do an example problem. Let's say one side measured 4 and the diagonal measured 5. Plugging those numbers in, we get (A squared) + (4 squared) = (5 squared). 4 squared is 16 and 5 squared is 25, so it's (A squared) + (16) = (25). Since there is a plus 16 on the left side, we subtract 16 from both sides to get (A squared) = 9.

You want side A though, so again do the opposite. Instead of squaring, find the square root. So the square root of a square is just the variable, which is A. The square root of 9 is 3 ofc. So your answer is A=3.

Think you can try the current problem you have going off this example?

Answer 6

Hmm, maybe. Let me work it out

Answer 7

I keep getting 22.67 when I use my calculator :/ I know that isn't right

Answer 8

What is your process? :)

Answer 9

Yes, lets see your steps. Maybe we can see the error

Answer 10

c= a^2 + b^2 so I plugged them in and this is the equation: 15^2 + 17^2 = 22.67 I used my calculator and these are the steps it gave me. I know I'm not doing something right.

Answer 11

Wait! I think I got it. It is 8 right?

Answer 12

\[\large \sf A^{2}+B^{2}=C^{2}\]\[\large \sf 15^{2}+B^{2}=17^{2}\]\[\large \sf B^{2}=17^{2}-15^{2}\]\[\large \sf B=\sqrt{17^{2}-15^{2}}\] So yeah, 8

Answer 13

Haha, okay. Thanks!

Answer 14

I see. You tried finding the diagonal side, when it was already given to you. Yes, it is 8. Nice!