How far is it from the lighthouse to the ship horizontally if the lighthouse is 20 ft tall and shines a beam to the ship 25 ft long? Also, which statement is correct? (1 point)
Responses
x = 225 feet; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the longest distance
x = 15 ft; the distance from the top of the lighthouse to the ship must be the longest distance
x = approximately 24.5 yards; from the top of the lighthouse to the boat must be the shortest distance
x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest distance
The correct statement is:
x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the longest distance
The horizontal distance from the lighthouse to the ship can be found using the Pythagorean theorem:
x^2 = 25^2 - 20^2
x^2 = 625 - 400
x^2 = 225
x = 15 ft
Therefore, the correct answer is x = 15 ft.