Question

Two poles of height 10 m and 18 m stand on a plane ground. If the distance between the feet of the poles is 15 m, find the distance between the top of the poles.

• A. $16m$
• B. $15m$
• C. $17m$
• D. $18m$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$17m$

Let CD and AB be the poles of height 18 m and 10 m.
Therefore, CP = (18 - 10) m = 8 m

From the figure, it can be observed that AP = 15 m

Applying Pythagoras theorem in $\Delta APC,$ we get
$A{C}^2=P{C}^2+A{P}^2$
$A{C}^2=8^2+{15}^2$
$A{C}^2=(64+225)=289$
$AC=\sqrt{289}$
$AC=17m$
Therefore, the distance between the top of the poles is 17 m.