Two vertical poles of height 9 m and 14 m stand on a plane ground. If the distance between their feet is 12 m, find the distance between their tops.
AE(height of the first building) = 14 m , CD(height of the second building) = 9 m , ED(distance between their feet) = BC = 12 m
AE – AB = 14 m – 9 m = 5 m
From the figure, ΔABC is a right triangle.
In a right angled triangle
(Hypotenuse) 2 = (Base)2 + (Height)2
where hypotenuse is the longest side.
(AC)2 = (AB)2 + (BC)2
⇒ AC2 = (5) 2 + (12) 2
⇒ AB2 = 25 + 144 = 169
⇒ AB = 13 m