Help me solve this question: Consider two pieces of railroad track, each one kilometer long, laid end to end...

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rahul40

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Consider two pieces of railroad track, each one kilometer long, laid end to end (see figure). The tracks are nailed down at their endpoints but simply meet in the middle. In summer, the railroad tracks expand, each by one centimeter. Since they are attached to the ground at the end points, the tracks can only expand by rising like a drawbridge. Furthermore, these pieces of track are so sturdy that they remain perfectly straight as they go up.

What is x? In other words, by how much does the track rise above the ground?
Captionless Image


Please enter your answer in centimeters. If your answer is 1 cm, enter “1”. If your answer is 1 meter, enter “100”.
 
rahul40 said:
Consider two pieces of railroad track, each one kilometer long, laid end to end (see figure). The tracks are nailed down at their endpoints but simply meet in the middle. In summer, the railroad tracks expand, each by one centimeter. Since they are attached to the ground at the end points, the tracks can only expand by rising like a drawbridge. Furthermore, these pieces of track are so sturdy that they remain perfectly straight as they go up.

What is x? In other words, by how much does the track rise above the ground?
Captionless Image


Please enter your answer in centimeters. If your answer is 1 cm, enter “1”. If your answer is 1 meter, enter “100”.
Click to expand...
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem. The hardest part will be the unit conversion. (Express everything in centimeters.) The answer will be surprisingly large; and it explains why they don't do railroad track this way!

Please show your work, so we can see where you need help.
 
Dr.Peterson said:
Apply the Pythagorean Theorem. The hardest part will be the unit conversion. (Express everything in centimeters.) The answer will be surprisingly large; and it explains why they don't do railroad track this way!

Please show your work, so we can see where you need help.
Click to expand...
I got answer 447.214
 
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