Final answer:
The bottom of the ladder should be approximately 1/4 the length of the ladder away from the wall, which is the safe and recommended distance to prevent slipping and ensure stability. The correct answer is B) 1/4 the length of the ladder.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a ladder is leaned against a wall, the bottom of the ladder should be approximately 1/4 the length of the ladder away from the wall for stability and safety. This distance ensures that the ladder forms an angle with the ground that prevents slipping. In physics, this setup can be analyzed to determine the forces involved: the reaction forces from the wall and floor, as well as the coefficient of static friction required to prevent slipping.
The typical recommendation for a safe angle is that the base of the ladder should be placed one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height reaching the wall, which translates to the ladder being 1/4 the distance of its length from the wall. Therefore, the correct answer is B) 1/4 the length of the ladder.