Question

Look at the picture of a scaffold used to support construction workers. The height of the scaffold can be changed by adjusting two slanting rods, one of which, labeled PR, is shown:Part A: What is the approximate length of rod PR? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth. Explain how you found your answer, stating the theorem you used. Show all your work. (5 points)

Part B: The length of rod PR is adjusted to 17 feet. If width PQ remains the same, what is the approximate new height QR of the scaffold? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth. Show all your work. (5 points)

Answer 1

@Angle could you help me with this.

Answer 2

Just making sure... PQ is 14
and QR is 6
?

Answer 3

If this is the right picture
then using the Pythagorean theorem --> \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \)
a = PQ
b = QR
c = PR

so
\(14^2 + 6^2 = (PR)^2\)
and now we can solve for PR for part A

Answer 4

Then for part B
same idea with the Pythagorean Theorem --> \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\)
a = PQ
b = QR
c = PR

but this time, PR = 17 and PQ = 14
so
\(14^2 + (QR)^2 = 17^2\)
and we solve for QR