Part A: Using the Pythagorean Theorem. a^2 + b^2 = c^2
PQ^2Â + QR^2 = PR^2 Â (The rods make a right triangle, where PR would be the hypotenuse, and QR and PQ would be legs a and b.)
14^2 + 9^2Â = PR^2
196 + 81 = PR^2
Square root of 277 = PRÂ
16.64 = PR
So, the hypotenuse would be equal to 16.64 ft.
Part B: Using the Pythagorean Theorem. a^2 + b^2 = c^2
PR^2Â - PQ^2Â = QR^2 (Trying to find the height of QR this time, not the hypotenuse, since we know what it is already. Subtracting the value of leg a from the hypotenuse will give us the value of leg b, QR.)
18^2Â - 14^2Â = QR^2
324 - 196 = QR^2
Square root of 128 = QR
So, the new height of QR would be 11.31 ft.