A flagpole stands perpendicular to the ground. It is supported by a 20-foot cable that runs from the top of the flagpole to the ground at a point that is 12 feet from the base of the pole. Find the height of the flagpole. The Pythagorean theorem is a2 b2

h  =  16 feet

Step-by-step explanation:

Pythagoras´ theorem establishes, that in a right triangle square of the hypothenuse (c²) is the sum of leg ( b²)  plus  leg  (a²)

Then

c²  =  a²  +  b²

where according to the problem statement

(20)²  =  h²  +  (12)²           (  h is the height of the flagpole )

h²  =  400 -  144

h²  =  256

h  =  √ 256

h  =  16 feet