Question #e9576

1 Answer
Jan 11, 2018

#color(red)"x = 51.72 meters"#

#color(blue)"y = 108.28 meters"#

Explanation:

Data

#"x + y = 160 meters"#

Sides form a triangle 📐 , so

#x^2 + y^2 = (120)^2 #

Combining equations:

#x^2 + (160 - x^2) = (120)^2 #

Re-arranging:

#x^2 - 160x^2 + 5600 = 0 #

Solving quadratic equation:

#x = 160 +-sqrt((160^2- 4(5600)))/2#

#x = (160 +-56.57)/2#