Question

A tree is broken at the height of 5m from the ground and its top touches the ground at a distance of 12m from the Base of the tree. Find the original height of the tree.

Answer 1

The ans is 18m. By Pythagoras theorem you can find the hypotenuse that is 13m, then add 13 and 5m to get the height

Answer 2

Let A’CB be the tree before it broken at the point C and let the top A’ touches the ground at A after it broke. Then ΔABC is a right angled triangle, at B.

AB = 12 m and BC = 5 m



Using Pythagoras theorem,
In ΔABC

(AC)²=(AB)²+(BC)²


(AC)²=(12)²+(5)²

(AC)²=144+25

(AC)²=169

AC = √169

AC= 13 m

Hence, the total height of the tree(A’B) = A’C + CB = 13 + 5 = 18 m.

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Hope this will help you...