Pathagorean Quadratic

Pathagorean Quadratic

Pythagorean Quadratic
Cynthia Hobbs
Mat221 Introduction to Algebra
Instructor: Andrea Schoohs
October 13, 2013

Pythagorean Quadratic
For this week’s assignment we are asked to use factoring and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve problem 98 on page 371 of Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. The problem to solve is as follows: Ahmed has half of a treasure map, which indicates that the treasure is buried in the desert 2x + 6 paces from Castle Rock. Vanessa has the other half of the map. Her half indicates that to find the treasure, one must get to Castle Rock, walk x paces to the north, and then walk 2x + 4 paces to the east. If they share their information, then they can find x and save a lot of digging. What is x? The following diagram is used to determine the Pythagorean Theorem.
2x + 4

x
2x + 6
Castle Rock
Because this is a right triangle the Pythagorean Theorem (a2+b2=c2) must be used.
With the Pythagorean Theorem the legs of every right triangle is a and b and the hypotenuse is c. For this problem let a = x, and b = 2x + 4, and c = 2x + 6. After making these measurements the Pythagorean Theorem we have x2+(2x+4)2=2x+6 2. Then, by putting these measurements into the Theorem equation we have:
x2+(2x+4)2=2x+6 2 Distribution method must be
used
xx2+2x+42x+4=2x+6(2x+6)
x2+4x2+8x+8x+16=4x2+12x+12x+36 Next we combine like terms
5x2+16x+16=4x2+24x+36 Now we must move everything to
the left.
x2-8x-20=0 Now that we have the quadratic
equation we must factor using the Three Term Method 1, -20; -1, 20; 2, -10; -2, 10; 4, -5; -4, 5; factor is 2-10.
(x+2) (x-10) = 0 To solve for x we use the zero factor
property you solve the binomials
x+2 = 0 or x – 10 = 0 Creating a compound equation.
x = -2 or x = 10 Possible solutions for the equation
x = 10 A negative number cannot be x.
since we cannot walk a negative number of paces.
x = 10 The solution
In conclusion...

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