15.0k views
5 votes
The formula that relates the length of a ladder, L, that leans against a wall with distance d from the base of the wall and the height h that the ladder reaches up the wall is mc024-1.jpg. What height on the wall will a 15-foot ladder reach if it is placed 3.5 feet from the base of a wall? 11.5 feet 13.1 feet 14.6 feet 15.4 feet

2 Answers

0 votes
The answer would be 14.586 feet, or rounded up to 14.6 feet.
User Calco
by
8.4k points
5 votes

Answer: 14.6 feet

Step-by-step explanation:

Since, here a ladder which has the length 15 foot and it is far from the base of the wall by 3.5 feet.

Here L represents the length of the ladder while d represents the distance of the ladder from the base of the wall. ( shown in figure)

While h represents height that the ladder reaches up the wall.

Thus, L= 15 foot, d= 3.5 foot

Then on applying Pythagoras theorem,


L^2=d^2+h^2


15^2=3.5^2+h^2


225=12.25+h^2


h^2=21.75


h=14.5859521458≈ 14.6 foot

Thus,height that the ladder reaches up the wall= 14.6 foot ( approx)


The formula that relates the length of a ladder, L, that leans against a wall with-example-1
User Josh Close
by
7.5k points