Problema Solution
An aluminum brace used to support a wooden shelf has a length that is 11 inches more than twice the width of the shelf. The brace is anchored to the wall h inches below the shelf. Find the width of the shelf and the length of the brace. (Assume h = 24.)
Answer provided by our tutors
Let x represent the width of the shelf, x>=0.
11 + 2x is the length of the brace
h = 24 in
Using the Pythagorean Theorem we have:
x^2 + h^2 = (11 + 2x)^2
x^2 + 24^2 = (11 + 2x)^2
........
click here to see the equation solved for x
........
x = 7 in
11 + 2*7 = 25 in
The width of the shelf is 7 inches.
The length of the brace is 25 inches.