Geometry and TrigonometryEasy–MediumDistance across a pond
Geometry and Trigonometry practice question
A surveyor stands at a point on the bank of a pond. A pole on the opposite bank is 20 metres away in a straight line, and a second point on the far bank, directly across from the surveyor at a right angle, is 16 metres from the pole. How far, in metres, is the surveyor from that second point?
Answer: 12
√(20² − 16²) = √144 = 12.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 4
- 4 subtracts 16 from 20.
- If you answered 36
- 36 adds the distances.
- If you answered 25.6
- 25.6 adds the squares.
More Geometry and Trigonometry questions
- Easy–Medium
A circle has a radius of 6. What is its area? (Use A = πr².) - Easy–Medium
A right triangle has legs of length 6 and 8. What is the length of the hypotenuse? - Easy–Medium
A circle has a radius of 5. What is its circumference? (Use C = 2πr.) - Easy–Medium
What is the midpoint of the segment joining the points (2, 3) and (8, 11)? - Easy–Medium
What is the measure, in degrees, of angle B? - Easy–Medium
What is the area, in square centimeters, of the trapezoid?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.