A guy wire attached to a vertical pole of height 18 m is 24 m long and has a stake attached to the other end. How far from the base of the pole should the stake be driven so that the wire will be taut?

Pole AB = 18 m and distance from the window BC.

AC is the length of the wire = 24 m.

From the figure, ΔABC is a right triangle.

In a right angled triangle

(Hypotenuse) ² = (Base)² + (Height)²

where hypotenuse is the longest side.

(AC)² = (AB)² + (BC)²

⇒ 24² = (18) ² + (BC) ²

⇒ BC² = 576 - 324 = 252

⇒ BC = 6√7 m