Question

Two poles of height 13m and 7m respectively stand vertically on a plane ground at a distance of 8m from each other. The distance between their tops is 

(a) 9m (b) 10m (c) 11m (d) 12m

Answer 1

(b) 10 m

Let AB and DE be the two poles.

According to the question: 

AB = 13 m 

DE = 7 m 

Distance between their bottoms = BE = 8 m 

Draw a perpendicular DC to AB from D, meeting AB at C. We get: 

DC = 8m, AC = 6 m

Applying, Pythagoras theorem in right-angled triangle ACD, we have