Question

Two poles of heights 6 m and 11 m stand on a plane ground. If the distance between the feet of the poles is 12 m, then find the distance between their tops.

Answer 1

Let CD and AB be the poles of height 11 m and 6 m.
Therefore, CP = 11 - 6 = 5 m
From the figure, it can be observed that AP = 12m
Applying Pythagoras theorem for $\Delta APC$, we get
$A{P}^2+P{C}^2=A{C}^2$
$(12m{)}^2+(5m{)}^2=(AC{)}^2$
$A{C}^2=(144+25)m^2=169m^2$
AC = 13m
Therefore, the distance between their tops is 13 m.