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)
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 top of the lighthouse to the ship must be
the longest distance
x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest
distance
x = 225 feet; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the
longest distance
To calculate the horizontal distance from the lighthouse to the ship, we can use the Pythagorean theorem:
x^2 = 25^2 - 20^2
x^2 = 625 - 400
x^2 = 225
x = √225
x = 15 ft
Therefore, the correct statement is:
x = 15 ft; the distance from the lighthouse to the ship must be the shortest distance.