Question

A 12 foot ladder leans against a building seven feet above the ground. At what height would an 15 foot ladder touch the building if both ladders form the same angle with the ground?

Answer 1

8.75 feet

Explanation:

Given that a 12 foot ladder leans against a building seven feet above the ground.

By using trigonometry ratio, the angle between the ladder and the ground will be

SinØ = opposite/ hypothenus

SinØ = 7 / 12

SinØ = 0.58333

Ø = Sin^-1(0.58333)

Ø = 35.69 degree

At what height would an 15 foot ladder touch the building if both ladders form the same angle with the ground?

Using the same trigonometric ratios

SinØ = opposite/hypothenus

Sin 35.69 = opposite/ 15

Cross multiply

Opposite = 15 × sin 35.69

Opposite = 8.75 feet

Therefore, the ladder will touch the building if both ladders form the same angle with the ground at height 8.75 feet.