Eli5 how can the distance between the top of two cylinders change depending if one is standing up vs if the if other one is?

Question

My boss set one empty can on its side on the floor, and one standing upright on top of a toolbox. The distance from the top of the side of the can on the floor to the top of the can on the toolbox measured 49 inches. When we turned the can on the tool box onto its side and stood up the can on the floor, the distance between the top of the can on the floor to the top of the can on the tool box was only 45 inches. Can anyone explain why this measurement changed?

In: 1

Answer 1

Ye first measurement is cabinet height (C) minus can width (W) plus can height (H). C-W+H

The second is C-H+W.

C-W+H and C-H+W are two different things, so you expect them to add up to a different value.