Question

A zip line extends from a platform that is 50 feet in the air to a platform that is 30 feet in the air. The poles on which the platforms sit are 100 feet apart. How long is the zip line?

Answer 1

Let us suppose that distance between the poles = AD = 100 feet

Let AB be the 1st platform, the length of AB = 50 feet

CD be the 2nd platform, the length of CD = 30 feet

Since, AECD is a rectangle and so, AE=CD, AD=EC

So, AE = CD = 30 feet, and EC = AD= 100 feet

Now, we can see that BEC is a triangle. And BE= 20 feet, and EC= 100 feet , so to find the length of zipline we should find the length of side BC of BEC.

Using, Pythagorus Theorem,

So, BC= 101.980 feet ≈102 feet

So, Length of zipline = 101.98 feet