Question

In the accompanying diagram,x represents

the length of a ladder that is leaning against a
wall of a building, and y represents the
distance from the foot of the ladder to the
base of the wall. The ladder makes a 60°
angle with the ground and reaches a point on
the wall 17 feet above the ground. Find the
number of feet in x and y.

Answer 1

We have a 30°-60°-90° triangle, so the length of the hypotenuse is twice the length of the shorter leg, and the length of the longer leg is √3 times the length of the shorter leg.

So y = 17/√3 = (17√3)/3 ft

x = (34√3)/3 ft