Question

A bird was sitting 8 metres from the base of an oak tree. It flew about 17 metres to reach the top of the tree. How tall is the tree?

Answer 1

Height of the tree = 15 meters

Explanation:

A bird is sitting at a distance of 8 meters (at point C) from the tree.

It covered distance AC = 17 meters to reach at the top of the tree at point A

By applying Pythagoras theorem in the given triangle,

Hypotenuse² = (leg 1)² + (leg 2)²

AC² = AB² + BC²

(17)² = AB² + 8²

AB² = 289 - 64

AB = √225

AB = 15 meters

Therefore, height of the tree = 15 meters