Question

You have a 27.4 foot ladder that you are using to get into a window that is 25.7 feet off the ground. About how far away from the wall is the bottom of the ladder?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Pythagoras

c² = a² + b²

with c being the Hypotenuse (the side opposite of the right angle), which is in our case the ladder.

27.4² = 25.7² + b²

750.76 = 660.49 + b²

b² = 750.76 - 660.49 = 90.27

b (distance of the ladder from the wall) = 9.501052573... ft