You descend 170 feet before ascending 72 feet. there is another 88 foot drop followed by a 40 foot climb. then you ascend another 50 feet. what is your elevation after the last change in elevation.

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4

step-by-step explanation:

use context clues to figure out the meaning of the bolded word:  

the sage gardener knew when she had to water her plants.  

question 8 options:

mint plant

wise

happy

lazy