Answer:
The original height of the tree is 18 m.
Explanation:
Please see attached photo for explanation.
From the diagram, we shall determine the value of 'x'. This can be obtained by using the pythagoras theory as follow:
x² = 5² + 12²
x² = 25 + 144
x² = 169
Take the square root of both side
x = √169
x = 13 m
Finally, we shall determine the original height of the tree. This can be obtained as follow.
From the question given above, the tree was broken from a height of 5 m from the ground which form a right angle triangle with x being the Hypothenus as illustrated in the diagram.
Thus, the original height of the will be the sum of 5 and x i.e
Height = 5 + x
x = 13 m
Height = 5 + 13
Height = 18 m
Therefore, the original height of the tree is 18 m.