Amazon interview question: How far apart are the poles ?
Solution
The puzzle titled “How Far Apart Are the Poles?” challenges us to use logic — not heavy calculation — to find the horizontal distance between two 50 m-tall poles bridged by an 80 m cable whose midpoint hangs 10 m above the ground. In this explanation we’ll break down the key insight behind the scenario and show why the answer isn’t what you might first expect.
By examining the distances and the cable’s total length, we found that the only way the midpoint can hang 10 m above ground is if the poles are essentially in the same spot. This counter-intuitive result reveals how important the initial assumptions are in puzzle questions. Explore many more clever math problems on our Solved Exercises page at Art Of Mathematics.
Related: Solved Exercises
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