Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Maths problem?

When the stem of the water lily is vertical, the blossam is 10 centimeters about the surface of the lake. If you pull the lily to one side, keeping the stem straight, the blossom touches the water at a spot 21 centimeters from where the stem formerly cut the surface. How deep is the water?

Maths problem?
Above the water is 10.



Below the water is x.



The length of this entire stem is x + 10.



Use x for one leg of a right triangle.



The other leg of the right triangle is 21.



Then the hypotenuse is x + 10 once the stem has been pulled to the side.



(x + 10)^2 = 21^2 + x^2



x^2 + 20x + 100 = 441 + x^2



20x + 100 = 441



20x = 331



x = 16.55



The water is 16.55 cm deep
Reply:huh?


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