I'mma use one of the two formulas to solve this problem sin = opposite/ hypotenuse be or cos =adjacent/ hypotenuse we are given two values a 20 ft ladder and an angle formed with the ladder at 72°. let's say 20 is the hypotenuse and the degree is theta we have a formula to solve for the side of the base and ladder
cos(theta) = x/h
x represents the adjacent side which is the base
and cos is the formula that uses
the adjacent side and the hypotenuse
so
first
set up the equation by plugging in the values
cos(72) = x/20
then multiply both sides by 20
20*cos(72)= x
the put it into your calculator
to solve for x and get the length of the base
x = 6 ft