pre algebra word problem

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credwine

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Bob is building two braces to help secure a bridge. He wants the brace to hit the wall 16 feet below the bridge (x) and hit the bottom of the bridge 12 feet from the wall (y). How long does each brace need to be (w)?
 
credwine said:
Bob is building two braces to help secure a bridge. He wants the brace to hit the wall 16 feet below the bridge (x) and hit the bottom of the bridge 12 feet from the wall (y). How long does each brace need to be (w)?
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Draw sketch of the situation.

Then use Pythagorus's Theorem.
 
When dealing with these types of questions always be mindful of Pythagorian triples: 3,4,5 and 5,12,15 (and multiples of those factors). There are many more, but those are the most common.
 
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