Geometry and TrigonometryEasy–MediumGuy wire on a mast
Geometry and Trigonometry practice question
A mast stands vertically, and a straight guy wire runs from its top to a point on the level ground 9 metres from its base. The wire is attached to the mast 12 metres above the ground. How long, in metres, is the wire?
Answer: 15
Mast, ground and wire form a right triangle with legs 12 and 9: √(144 + 81) = √225 = 15.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 3
- 3 is 12 − 9; legs don't subtract.
- If you answered 21
- 21 is 12 + 9, the legs added; the wire is the hypotenuse.
- If you answered 225
- 225 is 12² + 9²; take the square root.
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