Answer: "46. 1 ft" ; {which does not correspond to ANY of the answer choices provided}.
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Explanation:
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Refer to the figure at the end of this answer for further information.
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We use the Pythagoren theorem equation to solve for the "walkway"; which forms a "hypotenuse" ;
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a² + b² = c² ;
in which: "c" = the length of the "hypotenuse" ; which in this case in the "walkway" ; for which we wish to solve;
b = the length of another side of the right triangle;
a = the length of the other, remaining side of the right triangle;
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a² + b² = c² ; Solve for "c" ;
↔ c² = a² + b² ;
a = 35 ft. ; (Note: "70 ft. ÷ 2 = 35 ft." ; We divide "70" by 2" because this is needed to form a "right triangle" ; and the Pythagorean theorem applies ONLY to "right triangles". Refer to the figure at the end of the question for further information.
b = 30 ft. (given);
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Now, let's plug in these values into the formula/ equation; to solve for "c" (the hypotenuse, which is the length of the "walkway" ;
c² = a² + b² ;
c² = (35² + 30²) ;
c² = (1225 + 900) ;
c² = 2125 ;
Now, take the "positive" square root of EACH SIDE of the equation; to isolate "c" on one side of the equation; and to solve for "c" ;
√(c²) = √2125 ;
to get:
c = 46.0977222864644365 ft. ; which does not correspond to any of the answer choices provided; Round to: "46. 1 ft." .
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Refer to attached figure:
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