Question

Two vertical poles of height 9 m and 14 m stand on a plane ground. If the distance between their feet is 12 m, find the distance between their tops.

Answer 1

Height of first pole AB = 9 m and

Height of second pole CD = 14 m

Let distance between their tops CA = x m

From A, draw AE || BD meeting CD at E.

Then EA = DB = 12 m CE = CD – ED = CD – AB = 14-9 = 5 m

In right ∆AEC,

AC² = AE² + CE²

= 122 + 52

= 144 + 25

= 169

or AC = 13

Distance between pole’s tops is 13 m