8th - 4.9 - Pythagorean Theorem Real World

The bottom of a 17-foot ladder is placed on level ground 8 feet from the side of a house as shown in the figure below. Find the vertical height at which the top of the ladder touches the side of the house.

• h = 9 feet

• h = 12 feet

• h = 15 feet

• h = 18 feet

Which of the following equations could be used to find the value of w?

• w + 18 = 20

John has a chest where he keeps his antiques. What is the measure of the diagonal (d)

of John's chest with the height (c) = 3ft, width (b) = 3ft, and length (a) = 5ft.?

• √42 ft

• √44 ft

• √34 ft

• √43 ft

Mary has a lawn that has a width (a) of 30 yards, and a length (b) of 40 yards. What

is the measurement of the diagonal (c) of the lawn?

• 50 yards

• 49 yards

• 51 yards

A construction company needed to build a sign with the width (a) of 9 ft, and a length

(b) of 20 ft. What will be the approximate measurement of the diagonal (c) of the sign?

• 23 ft

• 22 ft

• 20 ft

• 19 ft

An unofficial baseball diamond is measured to be 50 yards wide. What is the approximate measurement of one side (a) of the diamond?

• 34 ft

• 35 yards

• 35 ft

• 36 yards

The neighborhood swimming pool is 20 ft wide and 30 ft long. What is the approximate

measurement of the diagonal (d) of the base of the pool?

• 36ft

• 35ft

• 34ft

• 34 yards

To get to her friend's house, a student must walk 20 feet to the corner of their streets,

turn left and walk 15 feet to her friend's house.

How much shorter would it be if she could cut across a neighbor's yard and walk a

straight line from her house to her friend's house?

• 5 feet shorter

• 10 feet shorter

• 25 feet shorter

• 35 feet shorter

Your school principal wants the custodian to put a new flag up on the flagpole. If the

flagpole is 40 feet tall and they have a 50 foot ladder, approximately how far from

the base of the pole can he place the base of his ladder in order to accomplish the task?

• Up to 10 ft away

• Up to 20 ft away

• Up to 30 ft away

• Up to 40 ft away

Your kite is at the end of a 50 ft string. You are 25 ft from the outside wall of a building

that you know makes a right angle with the ground.

How high is the kite approximately?

• Approx. 39 ft high

• Approx. 40 ft high

• Approx. 42 ft high

• Approx. 43 ft high