Question

A 12ft ladder against the side of a house. The bottom of the ladder is 6ft from the side of the house. How high is the top of the ladder from the ground?

Answer 1

See picture.

We are looking for x.

x^2 + 6^2 = 12^2

x^2 + 36 = 144

x^2 = 144 - 36

x^2 = 108

sqrt{x^2} = sqrt{108}

x = sqrt{108}

You can break down the square of 108 if needed.