Sofia G.

asked • 03/18/15

Solve the problem...

A 26-foot long support wire for a radio tower stretches from its mooring point on the tower to a point on the ground x feet from the base of the tower. The height at which the wire attaches to the tower is 4 feet less than twice the distance from the tower to its anchor on the ground. At what height does the wire attach to the tower?

2 Answers By Expert Tutors

By:

Jim B. answered • 03/18/15

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4.8 (111)

Experienced teacher and author tutoring in Math and Computer Topics

Michael M.

Very good, complete answer with a clear illustration in which he shows the process you'd go about to solve such a problem.
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03/18/15

Michael M. answered • 03/18/15

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New to Wyzant

Computer Science Major. Mathematics and science lover and tutor.

Sofia G.

I don't understand the way of setting it up
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03/18/15

Michael M.

i wish i could draw or upload pictures to this. So, what do you not understand, so that i may do a better job of explaining. Do you see how it's a triangle, with a given hypotenuse and actually both sides are pretty much given. Tell me what part you're struggling with. 
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03/18/15

Sofia G.

I been using this method A2+B2=C2
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03/18/15

Jim B.

I added a picture above.
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03/18/15

Michael M.

Look at the answer the gentleman above this thread posted, he clearly illustrated what I was leading you towards. That is a complete and correct answer.
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03/18/15

Sofia G.

Okay then the method I been using is wrong?
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03/18/15

Michael M.

No, actually you were on the right path. You recognized that you'd need the Pythagorean Theorem(A2 + B2 =C2) however without the picture to guide you, you simply didn't see how to apply the theorem.
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03/18/15

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