a loading ramp in a steel yard has a horizontal run that is 21ft longer than its vertical rise. ramp is 29ft long what is the vertical rise?

Question

the vertical rise is _ft.

Answer 1

X^2 + (X+21)^2 = 29^2

 

X^2 + X^2 + 42X + 441 = 841

 

2X^2 + 42X - 400 = 0

 

X^2 + 21X - 200 = 0

 

[-21 +or- sqrt(  441 + 800) ]/2

 

[-21 +or- sqrt( 1241)]/2

 

=7.114

 

(the negative measurement is disqualified)

 

CHECK 7.114^2 + 28.114^2 = 29^2