Question

A ladder that is 17 feet long is 8 feet from the base of a wall. How far up the wall does the ladder reach?

Answer 1

Applying the Pythagorean theorem we have :

wall length is : a²-b²=c²⇒17²-8²=c²⇒c=15(c>=0)

Explanation:

we have : the length of the ladder is the hypotenuse of the triangle ; the length of the ladder, which is far from the wall, is the right angle side of the triangle (draw your own illustration)

Answer 2

• H=17ft
• B=8ft

Using Pythagoras theorem

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P^2=H^2-B^2`

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P^2=17^2-8^2`

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P^2=289-64`

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P^2=225`

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P=√(225)`

`\\ \Large\sf\longmapsto P=15ft`