Multiple choice

Two poles of height 15 metres and 30 metres stand upright on a playground. If the feet of the poles are 36 metres apart, the distance between their tops is

  1. 35 metres

  2. 37 metres

  3. 39 metres

  4. 41 metres
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C Correct answer
Explanation

The distance between the tops of two vertical poles can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. The horizontal distance is 36m and the vertical difference in height is 30 - 15 = 15m. The distance is sqrt(36^2 + 15^2) = sqrt(1296 + 225) = sqrt(1521) = 39m.

AI explanation

To find the distance between the tops of the two poles, apply the Pythagorean theorem to the right triangle formed by the poles and the ground. The horizontal distance between the poles is the base of 36 m, and the vertical difference in their heights forms the perpendicular side of 30 minus 15, which is 15 m. The hypotenuse is the square root of the sum of 36 squared and 15 squared, which is the square root of 1296 plus 225. The square root of 1521 is 39, making the distance between their tops 39 metres.

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