If the distance between the top of two trees of height 20 m and 28 m is 17 m, then the horizontal distance between the trees is:
15 m
Let AB and CD be two trees such that AB=20 m, CD=28 m & BD=17 m
Draw BE parallel to AC. Then,
ED=8 m.
By applying Pythagoras' theorem,
BE2+DE2=BD2.
∴BE=√BD2−DE2 =√(17)2−82
=√289−64=√225=15 m
∴AC=BE=15 m