Answer:
8.5 ft
Step-by-step explanation:
We assume that Mr. Simpson can model his construction using a right triangle with leg 7 ft and hypotenuse 11 ft, as shown in the attachment. Then the other leg can be found using the Pythagorean theorem.
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a² +b² = c²
x² +7² = 11²
x² = 121 -49 = 72
x = √72 = 6√2 ≈ 8.485 . . . . feet
The slide will be set about 8.5 feet away from the base.
