How can the length of a rafter with a one-foot overhang be determined?

The determination of the length of a rafter with a one-foot overhang can be effectively accomplished using the Pythagorean theorem. This theorem applies to the right triangles formed by the roof's pitch (rise), the horizontal distance (run), and the length of the rafter (hypotenuse).

When considering the rafter length, the vertical rise from the top of the wall to the peak of the roof and the horizontal run from the wall to the peak need to be combined. If there is an overhang, this length must also be taken into account, effectively lengthening the horizontal run, which contributes to the overall length of the rafter. By applying the Pythagorean theorem – which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides – one can calculate the rafter's length accurately.

The other options do not appropriately address the calculation of rafter length. For instance, measuring the building's total height does not provide the specific vertical rise needed for the rafter. Calculating the total weight of the materials does not influence the rafter length directly, and estimating the slope of the roof alone does not yield precise measurements necessary for the r