Henry Ernest Dudeney/Puzzles and Curious Problems/238 - A Maypole Puzzle

Puzzles and Curious Problems by Henry Ernest Dudeney: $238$

A Maypole Puzzle

During a gale a maypole was broken in such a manner that it struck the level ground at a distance of $20$ feet from the base of the pole,

where it entered the earth.

It was repaired, and broken by the wind a second time at a point $5$ feet lower down,

and struck the ground at a distance of $30$ feet from the base.

What was the original height of the pole?

In neither case did the broken part become actually detached.

Sources

• 1932: Henry Ernest Dudeney: Puzzles and Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Geometrical Problems: Various Geometrical Puzzles: $238$. -- A Maypole Puzzle
• 1968: Henry Ernest Dudeney: 536 Puzzles & Curious Problems ... (previous) ... (next): Geometrical Problems: Solid Geometry Puzzles: $309$. A Maypole Puzzle