All about flooble | fun stuff | Get a free chatterbox | Free JavaScript | Avatars    
perplexus dot info

Home > Shapes > Geometry
The Maypole Problem 2 (Posted on 2006-06-12) Difficulty: 3 of 5
Continuing on the original problem here, posted by Jer.

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 without any gain or loss in its length. Later it broke a second time at a point below the earlier by an amount exactly equal to the difference in length of the two sections of the first break.

How far did it strike this time from the base?

See The Solution Submitted by Salil    
Rating: 2.5000 (2 votes)

Comments: ( Back to comment list | You must be logged in to post comments.)
Solution Solution | Comment 2 of 3 |

Let L be the length of the pole and x the height
of the first break, then
   (L - x)^2 = x^2 + 20^2
             or
 
   L*(L - 2*x) = 20^2
The difference in length of the two segments is
L - 2*x. If z is the distance from the base on the
second break, then
   z^2 = [(L - x) + (L - 2*x)]^2 - [x - (L - 2*x)]^2
       = 3*L*(L - 2*x)
       = 3*20^2
Therefore,
   z = 20*sqrt(3) feet.
 

  Posted by Bractals on 2006-06-12 10:33:51
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 (12)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:
Copyright © 2002 - 2024 by Animus Pactum Consulting. All rights reserved. Privacy Information