Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The point of closest approach is on a line perpendicular to the zip line
perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes, so the perpendicular line has slope (8/3)
y = (8/3)x + b
adding our known point (3, 16)
16 = (8/3)3 + b
b = 8
y = (8/3)x + 8
now find where the two lines intersect by solving two equations with two unknowns
y = (-3/8)x + 8
as the two lines have a common y intercept of 8, that is the common point
(0, 8)
The distance from (0, 8) to (3, 16) is
d = √((3 - 0)² + (16 - 8)²) = √73 = 8.5440037453...
d = 8.5 ft
