perplexus.info :: Geometry : A Maypole Problem

A Maypole Problem (Posted on 2006-05-01)

During a gale a maypole was broken in such a manner that it struck the ground at a distance twenty feet from the base of the pole.

It was repaired and later broke a second time at a point five feet lower. This time it struck the ground thirty-five feet from the base.

What was the original height of the pole?

Submitted by Jer

Rating: 3.3333 (3 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

Since the subpoles form a right triangle, the Pythagorean Theorem can be used twice to relate their lengths. Let a and b be the subpole lengths after the first gale.

a²+20²=b²

(a-5)²+35²=(b+5)² which means a²+20²+825=b²+10a+10b

Subtract the first equation from that and divide by 10 to get 82.5=a+b, the original height of the pole.

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
Puzzle Solution	K Sengupta	2022-05-22 23:13:11
Best Solution	Ansh	2006-10-07 14:58:50
Solution	Sparsh	2006-05-03 09:15:56
re: Mayday! Mayday!	Vishal Gupta	2006-05-02 16:04:26
re: Mayday! Mayday!	Charlie	2006-05-02 14:24:04
Solution	Bractals	2006-05-01 15:33:54
Mayday! Mayday!	Jyqm	2006-05-01 14:15:59
Solution	Leming	2006-05-01 14:15:20

Please log in:

Login:
Password:
Remember me:

Sign up! \| Forgot password

Search:

Search body:

Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:


perplexus dot info