The sides view of a wall in Luke's office is shown below. The diagonal support piece is 17 centimeters, and the piece against the wall is 8 centimeters. What is the approximate measure of w, the total shelf? please use step by step instructions.

H. 22 centimeters

Step-by-step explanation:

A right angle triangle is formed. To determine w, we would apply Pythagoras theorem which is expressed as

Hypotenuse² = opposite side² + adjacent side²

From the diagram,

Hypotenuse = 17 cm

Opposite side = 8 cm

Adjacent side = w - 7

Therefore,

17² = 8² + (w - 7)²

289 = 64 + (w - 7)²

289 - 64 = (w - 7)²

225 = (w - 7)²

Taking square root of both sides if the equation, it becomes

w - 7 = √225 = 15

w = 15 + 7

w = 22 cm

step-by-step explanation: