### Problem 20: Bracing a Telephone Pole **Problem Statement:** A 26-foot-tall telephone pole will be braced with a wire that extends from the top of the pole to a point 18 feet from the base of the pole. How long will the wire need to be? Provide the answer to the nearest tenth of a foot. **Visual Representation:** The problem includes a right triangle diagram, where: - The vertical side represents the height of the telephone pole, measuring 26 feet. - The horizontal side represents the distance from the base of the pole to the point where the wire attaches to the ground, measuring 18 feet. **Diagram Explanation:** The right triangle diagram demonstrates a right-angle triangle with the following annotated sides: - The vertical side (opposite) is labeled 26 feet. - The horizontal side (adjacent) is labeled 18 feet. - The hypotenuse, which represents the length of the wire, is not labeled but is what needs to be calculated. **Solution:** To determine the length of the wire (the hypotenuse), we use the Pythagorean theorem: \[ c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \] Where: - \( a \) is the height of the pole (26 feet) - \( b \) is the distance from the base of the pole (18 feet) - \( c \) is the length of the wire Calculating: \[ c = \sqrt{26^2 + 18^2} \] \[ c = \sqrt{676 + 324} \] \[ c = \sqrt{1000} \] \[ c \approx 31.6 \text{ feet} \] **Answer:** The wire will need to be approximately 31.6 feet long.

Elementary Geometry For College Students, 7e
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ISBN:9781337614085
Author:Alexander, Daniel C.; Koeberlein, Geralyn M.
Publisher:Alexander, Daniel C.; Koeberlein, Geralyn M.
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### Problem 20: Bracing a Telephone Pole

**Problem Statement:**
A 26-foot-tall telephone pole will be braced with a wire that extends from the top of the pole to a point 18 feet from the base of the pole. How long will the wire need to be? Provide the answer to the nearest tenth of a foot.

**Visual Representation:**
The problem includes a right triangle diagram, where:
- The vertical side represents the height of the telephone pole, measuring 26 feet.
- The horizontal side represents the distance from the base of the pole to the point where the wire attaches to the ground, measuring 18 feet.

**Diagram Explanation:**
The right triangle diagram demonstrates a right-angle triangle with the following annotated sides:
- The vertical side (opposite) is labeled 26 feet.
- The horizontal side (adjacent) is labeled 18 feet.
- The hypotenuse, which represents the length of the wire, is not labeled but is what needs to be calculated.

**Solution:**
To determine the length of the wire (the hypotenuse), we use the Pythagorean theorem:

\[ c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \]

Where:
- \( a \) is the height of the pole (26 feet)
- \( b \) is the distance from the base of the pole (18 feet)
- \( c \) is the length of the wire

Calculating:
\[ c = \sqrt{26^2 + 18^2} \]
\[ c = \sqrt{676 + 324} \]
\[ c = \sqrt{1000} \]
\[ c \approx 31.6 \text{ feet} \]

**Answer:**
The wire will need to be approximately 31.6 feet long.
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem 20: Bracing a Telephone Pole **Problem Statement:** A 26-foot-tall telephone pole will be braced with a wire that extends from the top of the pole to a point 18 feet from the base of the pole. How long will the wire need to be? Provide the answer to the nearest tenth of a foot. **Visual Representation:** The problem includes a right triangle diagram, where: - The vertical side represents the height of the telephone pole, measuring 26 feet. - The horizontal side represents the distance from the base of the pole to the point where the wire attaches to the ground, measuring 18 feet. **Diagram Explanation:** The right triangle diagram demonstrates a right-angle triangle with the following annotated sides: - The vertical side (opposite) is labeled 26 feet. - The horizontal side (adjacent) is labeled 18 feet. - The hypotenuse, which represents the length of the wire, is not labeled but is what needs to be calculated. **Solution:** To determine the length of the wire (the hypotenuse), we use the Pythagorean theorem: \[ c = \sqrt{a^2 + b^2} \] Where: - \( a \) is the height of the pole (26 feet) - \( b \) is the distance from the base of the pole (18 feet) - \( c \) is the length of the wire Calculating: \[ c = \sqrt{26^2 + 18^2} \] \[ c = \sqrt{676 + 324} \] \[ c = \sqrt{1000} \] \[ c \approx 31.6 \text{ feet} \] **Answer:** The wire will need to be approximately 31.6 feet long.
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