College Algebra 7th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1305115546
ISBN 13: 978-1-30511-554-5

Chapter 1, Equations and Graphs - Section 1.4 - Solving Quadratic Equations - 1.4 Exercises - Page 124: 78

Answer

$\approx32.32ft$

Work Step by Step

If the length of the guy wire is $x$, then according to the Pythagorean Theorem: $\text{guy wire}^2=\text{half distance between guy wires}^2+\text{height of pole}^2\\x^2=(0.5x)^2+(x-5)^2\\x^2=0.25x^2+x^2-10x+25\\0.25x^2-10x+25=0\\x^2-40x+100=0\\(x-20)^2=300\\x-20=\sqrt{300}\\x=\sqrt{300}+20$ Thus the length of the pole is: $x-5=\sqrt{300}+15\approx32.32ft$
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