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Workings

Hint
The animal begins with the letter F.

Answer
Flamingo.
--ute = flute
c--el = camel
st--g = sting
car-- = cargo

Workings

Hint
You might find Pythagoras' theorem very useful [a² + b² = c²].

Answer
148 inches.



We can use Pythagoras' theorem if we draw an imaginary line across to create a right-angled triangle.

The hypotenuse is equal to the rope's length R. The bottom of the triangle is 48 inches. The vertical side is R − 8 (the difference between 20 inches and 12 inches).

Pythagoras' theorem tells us that:

   a² + b² = c²

Where c is the hypotenuse.

This gives us:

          48² + (R − 8)² = R²

   2304 + (R − 8)(R − 8) = R²

    2304 + R² − 16R + 64 = R²

         2304 − 16R + 64 = 0

                     16R = 2368

                       R = 148

As required.

Workings

Hint
Look at the second letter in each word.

Answer
Julie.

The second letters of the names are the vowels in alphabetical order.

Workings

Hint
These were a famous comedy duo.

Answer
Y.

From Laurel and Hardy, the names have been merged.