Question

The drawing below represents a 22-foot ladder with its base placed 10 feet from the bottom of a vertical wall.

which value is the best estimate for x?


a.24.3

b.63.0

c.27.0

d.65.6

Answer 1

63°

Explanation:

To get the value of x we will use the Pythagoras theorem

hyp² = opp²+adj²

Given

hyp is the length of the ladder = 22ft

Adjacent is the distance from the base of the ladder to the wall = 10ft

Angle of elevation = x

Using the SOH CAH TOA identity

Cos theta = adjacent/hypotenuse

Cos x = 10/22

Cos x = 5/11

x = arccos(5/11)

x = arccos(0.4545)

x = 62.96°

Hence the best estimate of x is 63°