A parachute design uses 18 separate pieces of rope. Each piece of rope must be at least 270 centimeters
and no more than 280 centimeters long. What
inequality represents all possible values of the total
length of rope x, in centimeters, needed for the
parachute?

a) 270< x <280
b) 4,860< x <4,870
c)4,860< x <5,040
d) 5,030< x <5,040

(b) 240

step-by-step explanation:

first, we use the pythagorean formula using the given side lengths to find x. then we use x to find the side lengths. then we add the side lengths to find the perimeter.

pythagorean theorem formula:

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(x - 20)^2 + (x - 40)^2 = x^2

x^2 - 40x + 400 + x^2 - 80x + 1600 = x^2

x^2 -120x + 2000 = 0

(x - 100)(x - 20) = 0

x - 100 = 0 or x - 20 = 0

x = 100 or x = 20

we see that the solution x = 20 must be discarded because it will give a negative side length and a side length of 0. the only valid solution is x = 100.

perimeter = sum of the lengths of the sides

perimeter = x + x - 20 + x - 40

perimeter = 3x - 60

replace x with 100.

perimeter = 3(100) - 60

perimeter = 300 - 60

perimeter = 240