Geometry Help please?

Question

The length of the largest sail along the mast is 82.5 feet. The length of the diagonal portion of the sail is 90.3 feet. What is the length of the sail along the boom? (Answers are rounded to the nearest tenth.)

Answer 1

It would help if there was a picture... but from your description it sounds like a problem using pythagorean theorem which is A^2 (squared) +B^2 =C^2 with C being the diagonal portion (the hypotenuse).
so it would be (82.5)^2 + B^2 = (90.3)^2
B^2= 8104.96 - 6806.25
B=36.71
round it to the nearest tenth and it would be B=36.7
go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_theorem if you still need help. hope this helped!

Answer 2

You have to use the formula a^2+b^2=c^2.

(82.5)^2+(b)^2=(90.3)^2

C= the longest side of the triangle. the diagonal sail is the longest side.

6806.25+b^2=8154.09 subtract 6806.25 from both sides
b^=1347.84 take the sqare root of 1347.84
b=36.71 feet

the length of the sail along the boom is 36.7 feet long.

Answer 3

Pythagorean Theorem a^2 +b^2 = c^2 where "c" is the hypotenuse (or the diagonal)

c^2-b^2=a^2

90.3^2 - 82.5^2 = a^2
a^2 = 1347.84

then take the square root of that to get the answer

a =36.7 feet

Answer 4

Still using the pythagorean theorem, but you'll be subtracting this time. 90.3 will be the hypotenuse, or c. Let the 82.5 be 'a', and solve for b. You'll need a calculator.

Answer 5

Pythagorean theorem: Diag^2 = Height^2 + boom^2

Answer 6

Assuming a rectangular sail
90.3^2=82.5^2+x^2
8154.09=6806.25+x^2
x^2=8154.09-6806.25=1347.84
x=36.7 ft

Answer 7

the theorem is a^2+b^2=c^2
so ...82.5^2+b^2= 90.3^2
6806.25+b^2=8154.09
8154.09- 6806.25=1347.85
Square root of 1347.85= 36.7
Your answer is 36.7
Good luck, & God bless

Answer 8

http://www.math.com