Question

Two shaded identical rectangular decorative tiles are first placed (one each) at the top and at the base of a door frame for a hobbit's house, as shown in Figure 1. The distance from W to H is 45 inches. Then the same two tiles are rearranged at the top and at the base of the door frame, as shown in Figure 2. The distance from Y to Z is 37 inches. What is the height of the door frame, in inches?

Answer 1

41 inches

Explanation:

Let the point at the top of the door on the left be x

Wx + xH = 45

Let the point at the top of the door on the right be c

Yc + cZ = 37

We know the door is

xH + plus the width of the tile

The width of the tile is Yc

xH + Yc

On the right door

cZ + the height of the tile

cZ + Wx

Add the two doors together

xH + Yc + cZ + Wx = 2 times the height of the door

Rewriting

xH + Wx + Yc + cZ = 2 times the height of the door

45+ 37 = 2 times the door height

82 = 2 times the door height

Divide by 2

41 = door height