Question

The distance between 2 trees is 11 meters. The first tree is 12 meters and the second tree is 29 meters. What is the distance between the tops of the trees?​

Answer 1

In ΔABC

AB

2

=AC

2

+BC

2

⇒BC

2

=x

2

=17

2

−8

2

⇒x=15m.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Form a right triangle, with the base being the distance between the trees, 11 meters.

The height would be the difference between the height of the two trees: 29-12 = 17 meters

Now using the Pythagorean theorem calculate the hypotenuse, which would be the distance between the tops:

X ^2 = 11^2 + 17^2

X^2 = 121+ 289

X^2 = 410

X = sqrt(410)

X = 20.24845

The distance is:

Exact answer = sqrt(410) meters

Decimal answer = 20.24845 meters (round the answer as needed)