Question

a ladder is leaning against a building so that the distance from the ground to the top of the ladder is 1 foot less than the length of the ladder. find the length of the ladder if the distance from the vottom of the ladder to the building is 3 feet. ​

Answer 1

5

Explanation:

Whenever there are problems that have ladders leaning on a buildings, you have to know that is makes a right triangle.

3^2 + (x-1)^2 = x^2

(x-1)(x-1) = x^2 - 2x + 1

9 + x^2 -2x +1 = x^2

-x^2 -x^2

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-2x +10 = 0

-10 -10

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-2x=-10

-2x/2 -10/2

x=5 (the length of the ladder)