Custom drapes are being fitted for a large circular window. The window has an 8 ft horizontal shelf with a 2 ft brace that sits in the frame. If the brace is extended upward, it would go through the center of the shelf and the circle.

What is the diameter of the window?

Diameter [tex]$=$[/tex] [tex]$\square$[/tex] feet



Answer :

Sure, let’s solve the problem of finding the diameter of the circular window step-by-step:

1. Given Information:
- The horizontal shelf length is \(8 \text{ ft}\).
- The vertical brace length is \(2 \text{ ft}\).

2. Understanding the Geometry:
- The diameter of the circle coincides with the length of the horizontal shelf.
- The vertical brace acts as a radius and forms a right-angle triangle with half of the horizontal shelf.

3. Forming the Right Triangle:
- Half the shelf length is \(\frac{8}{2} = 4 \text{ ft}\).
- The brace length is \(2 \text{ ft}\).

4. Applying the Pythagorean Theorem:
- In the right triangle, the total radius of the circle formed is the hypotenuse.
- Let’s denote the radius by \(r\).
- The Pythagorean theorem states \(r^2 = (\text{half shelf length})^2 + (\text{brace length})^2\).

5. Substitute the Known Values:
- \(r^2 = 4^2 + 2^2\).
- \(r^2 = 16 + 4\).
- \(r^2 = 20\).

6. Solving for the Radius \(r\):
- \(r = \sqrt{20}\).
- \(r \approx 4.472 \text{ ft}\).

7. Calculating the Diameter:
- The diameter is twice the radius.
- Diameter \( = 2 \times r \).
- Diameter \( = 2 \times 4.472 \).
- Diameter \( \approx 8.944 \text{ ft}\).

Thus, the diameter of the window is approximately [tex]\(8.944 \text{ feet}\)[/tex].

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