Question

A cable 13 meters long runs from the top of a utility pole to a point on the ground 5 meters from the base of the pole. How tall is the utility pole?

Answer 1

height of the utility pole = 12 meters

Explanation:

It is simple application of Pythagoras theorem.

In the given case, Length of cable (Hypotenuse) H = 13 meters, distance between base of pole to the point on the ground(Base) B = 5 meters and height of pole ( Perpendicular) P form a right angle triangle.

The applying Pythagoras theorem.

H^2 = P^2 +B^2

⇒ P^2 = H^2-B^2 = 13^2-5^2 = 144

⇒ P = 12 meters

hence, height of the utility pole = 12 meters