A flight of stairs is supported by 2 vertical columns. The hypotenuse length from the left vertex of the base to the first and second column are 6 feet and 12 feet. The horizontal distance between the first column and left vertex is 4 feet.
A flight of stairs is supported by two columns, as shown in the diagram.
The distance from the base of the stairs to the taller column is
feet.
To find the distance from the base of the stairs to the taller column, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem.
Let's call the distance from the base of the stairs to the taller column "x".
We know that the hypotenuse of the right triangle formed by the base, the first column, and the taller column is 6 feet.
We also know that the horizontal distance between the first column and the left vertex is 4 feet.
Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we can write the equation:
x^2 + 4^2 = 6^2.
Simplifying this equation, we get:
x^2 + 16 = 36.
Subtracting 16 from both sides, we get:
x^2 = 20.
Taking the square root of both sides, we get:
x = √20.
Simplifying the square root of 20, we get:
x = 2√5.
Therefore, the distance from the base of the stairs to the taller column is 2√5 feet.