Can You Solve This Problem?

[Gregory Matthews]

The following problem is said to be an actual problem that Amazon uses in employment interviews.  ON teh surface, it seems to require the knowledge of higher math.  But, it does not and it can be solved by people with no such knowledge.  NOTE:  I had to be told teh solution to the question.  So, do not feel bad if you can not sole it.

The question is:   With the following givens, how far apart are the two poles, A & B?

Givens:

1)  Poles A & B are each 50 feet tall, above ground level, and are placed on level ground.

2)  A cable, 80 feet in length, is suspended between the top of poles A & B.

3)  The bottom of this suspended cable is 10 feet above the ground.

With the above information, you hae all you need to immediately tell us how far apart poles A & B are from each other.

NOTE:  As this problem is given by Amazon, it is diagramed with two poles and a suspended cable.   So, imagine such or actually draw a picture.

 

 

[B/W Photodude]

26 minutes ago, Gregory Matthews said:

With the following givens, how far apart are the two poles, A & B?

They are next to each other, probably touching each other.

[Gregory Matthews]

Photodude:

Exactly!

You got it correct.

In my opinion, the drawing, which I saw, throws one off and sends people off in the wrong direction.  

Folks, let us all acknowledge Photodude for his wisdom is solving the ridedle.