What is the center-to-center distance for two 30-degree bends in an offset bend with a height of 18 inches?

• A. 18 inches
• B. 24 inches
• C. 36 inches
• D. 42 inches

Answer: (C)

When two equal-angle bends create an offset, the straight segment between the bends runs at that bend angle relative to the original direction. The vertical rise (height) is the vertical component of that segment, so height = center-to-center distance × sin(angle). With two 30-degree bends, the segment is at 30 degrees, and sin(30) = 0.5. Therefore, center-to-center distance = height / sin(30) = 18 / 0.5 = 36 inches. So the correct distance is 36 inches.