Problema Solution
A 12 foot ramp leads to a doorway. If the distance between the ground and the doorway is 8 feet less than the horizontal distance covered by the ramp. How high above the ground is the doorway?
Answer provided by our tutors
Let
x = the horizontal distance covered by the ramp, x>=0
x - 8 = the distance between the ground and the doorway
The ramp, the distance between the ground and the doorway and the horizontal distance covered by the ramp are sides of a right triangle:
x^2 + (x - 8)^2 = 12^2
........
click here to see the equation solved for x
........
x = 11.48 ft
x - 8 = 11.48 - 8 = 3.48 ft
The doorway is approximately 3.48 feet above the ground.