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A drawbridge has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The entire length of the bridge is 100 feet while the height is 25 feet. If the angle at which the bridge meets the land is approximately 60 degrees, how long is the part of the bridge that opens?

Sagot :

Answer:

The part of the bridge that opens is 50 ft.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given parameters of the drawbridge are;

The entire length of the bridge = 100 feet

The height of the isosceles trapezoid formed = 25 feet

The angle at which the drawbridge meets the land ≈ 60°

Therefore, the part of the bridge that opens = The top narrow parallel side of the isosceles trapezoid

The length of each half of the bridge = (The entire length)/2 = 100 ft./2 = 50 ft.

Let 'x' represent the path of the waterway still partly blocked by each half of the bridge inclined

∴ x = 50 × cos(60°) = 25

x = 25 ft.

The path covered by both sides of the drawbridge = 2·x = 2 × 25 ft. = 50 ft.

The part of the bridge that opens = The entire length - 2·x

∴ The part of the bridge that opens = 100 ft. - 50 ft. = 50 ft.

The part of the bridge that opens = 50 ft.