Question

Please help with this math problem for trig. A 6 m ladder is leaning against a wall. The base of the ladder is 1.5 m from the wall. Calculate how high up the wall the ladder reaches.

Answer 1

a = 5.81 m

Explanation:

We can use the Pythagorean theorem

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

where b= 1.5 and c= 6

a^2 +1.5^2 = 6^2

a^2 +2.25 = 36

Subtract 2.25 from each side

a^2 +2.25-2.25 = 36-2.25

a^2 = 33.75

Take the square root of each side

sqrt(a^2) = sqrt(33.75)

a = 5.809475019

We only take the positive root because length must be positive