Question 1153751
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<pre>

Make a sketch and apply the Pythagorean theorem to right angled triangle CDA


   the length of AD = {{{sqrt(17^2-8^2)}}} = {{{sqrt(289-64)}}} = {{{sqrt(225)}}} = 15.


Hence, the length of AB is twice this length, i.e.  AB = 2*15 = 30 meters.    <U>ANSWER</U>
</pre>

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I think that EVERYBODY and EVERYONE is able to solve it on his or her own, under one indispensable condition: 

he or she should make his or her first step producing a sketch.