Pythagoras theorem right angle triangle word problem

Question

Hypotenuse is r=17.5m depth is x=15m height is unknown

Question:Mr Thompson is standing 15m away from the church at the bottom right point of the right angle triangle. The distance from his feet to the top of the church which is the top tip of the triangle is 17,5m Calculate the height of the church which is the left side of the triangle.

Answer 1

Pythagorean Theorem says use the hypotenuse and the other given side to find the height, h.

17.5² - 15² = h²

81.25 = h²

We need to get the square root of h² which is √81.25 to solve for h

√81.25 = h

9.014 m = h

You can check this value by solving the Pythagorean Theorem for the hypotenuse, see if you get 17.5.

Give it a try.

I hope you find this useful and if you have any questions just send me a message.