Question

A ladder 17 m long reaches a window 8 m high on one side of the road. the ladder is then turned over to the opposite side of the road and is found to reach another window 15 m high. Find the width of the road.Please apply the pythgoras property .

Answer 1

• 23 m

Explanation:

It is assumed the width of the street is the distance between the opposite buildings.

See the picture attached

It comprises of two parts:

• x and y

Using Pythagorean theorem, lets find the value of x:

• x² + 15² = 17²
• x² = 289 - 225
• x² = 64
• x = 8 m

Same rule for y:

• y² + 8² = 17²
• y² = 289 - 64
• y² = 225
• y = 15 m

The width of the street (road) is:

• 8 m + 15 m = 23 m