A room is 12 m long, 9 m wide and 8 m high. What is the length of the longest straight pole that can fit inside it?

Explanation

1. 01

   The longest pole runs along the room's diagonal: $\sqrt{l^2 + b^2 + h^2}$.

2. 02

   = $\sqrt{144 + 81 + 64} = \sqrt{289} = 17$ m.