<PRE><B>Question 964178</B>
The broken tree forms a right triangle, with one leg from the ground to the break 16 feet up, the other leg from the base 18 feet out, and the hypotenuse formed by the broken trunk from the break to the point 18 feet from the base.
The legs are 16 feet and 18 feet, so:
{{{a^2+b^2=c^2}}}
{{{(16feet)^2+(18feet)^2=c^2}}}
{{{256ft^2+324ft^2=c^2}}}
{{{580ft^2=c^2}}}
{{{24.1ft=C}}}
The broken part of the tree is 24.1 feet and it broke off 16 feet above the ground:
16 feet+24.1 feet=40.1 feet
ANSWER: The full height of the tree was 40 feet.

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