Answer: C) 15 meters
Explanation:
Apply the pythagorean theorem to find the missing side.
[tex]a^2 + b^2 = c^2\\\\x^2 + 20^2 = 25^2\\\\x^2 + 400 = 625\\\\x^2 = 625-400\\\\x^2 = 225\\\\x = \sqrt{225}\\\\x = 15[/tex]
The horizontal leg of the right triangle is 15 meters long. This is the distance from the base of the tree to the base of the building.
Side note: This right triangle is based off the 3-4-5 right triangle. It has been scaled up by a factor of 5.
