Question

A ladder leans against the side of a house. The angle of elevation of the ladder is 73°, and the top of the ladder is 14 ft above the ground. Find the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the side of the house. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

Answer 1

4.3 feets

Explanation:

Given that:

Angle of elevation = 73°

Horizontal distance from foot of ladder to bottom of wall = x feets

Height of ladder = 14 feets

The horizontal distance, x :

Using trigonometry :

Tan θ = opposite / Adjacent

Tan θ = 14 / x

Tan 73 = 14 / x

3.2708526 * x = 14

x = 14 / 3.2708526

x = 4.2802295

x = 4.3 feets