Two vertical poles have heights 6 ft and 12 ft. A rope is stretched from the top of each pole to the bottom of the other. How far above the ground do the ropes cross?
2007-03-04 08:03:32 · 4 answers · asked by Xo sUmMeR kIsSeSz Xo 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
It doesn't matter how far appart the poles are, but to keep the math simple, let's put the poles 6 feet apart. Assuming that, the equation for each rope can be derived from the following points:
Rope A, going up: (0,0), (6,12)
Rope B, going down: (0,6), (6, 0)
rope A: y = 12/6 x + 0
y = 2 x
rope B: y = -6/6 x + 6
y = -x + 6
2 x = -x + 6 Setting equations for A and B equal
3 x = 6 Adding x to both side of equation
x = 2 The ropes cross 2 feet past the first pole
substituting into y= -x + 6
y = - (2) + 6
y = 4
2007-03-04 08:22:23 · answer #1 · answered by Skeptic 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ropes would cross four feet above the ground.. but this is only if the two poles were placed at the same level on the ground.
2007-03-04 16:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by coldplay freak 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About 3 ft
2007-03-04 16:10:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think 3ft. cuz it's a factor of both #s. or something like that for the explaination
2007-03-04 16:09:38 · answer #4 · answered by saralou 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋