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

The tape measure is overlapping the can on the toolbox, but the measure isn’t for the one on the ground since it starts on the top of the can. Since the measure includes the height of the can on the toolbox, but not the one on the ground, the can on the toolbox being upright will make the total distance longer.