When we connect the ends of the poles and the project the horizontal line from the end of the 10-ft pole to the other pole, we form a right triangle with the legs equal to 12 ft and difference of the lengths of the pole. Using the Pythagorean theorem,
h² = sqrt ((12 ft)² + (15 - 10)²)
h = 13 ft
Thus, the distance between the tops of the poles is equal to 13 ft.
