Question

If flag pole broke in a storm it Was originally 81 feet tall. 28 feet are still sticking straight out of the ground, where it snapped, but the remaining piece has hinged over and touches the ground some distance away. How far is the end of the pole from the base of the pole along the ground?

Answer 1

I think this story is describing a right triangle with one leg 28, hypotenuse 81 - 28 = 53 and we're asked for the other leg,

√(53² - 28²) = 45

Answer: 45 feet