Question

A 16 foot ladder is leaning against a wall with the base 4 feet from the wall. How high does the ladder hit the wall?

Answer 1

`x = 15.49`

Explanation:

To solve this problem is necessary to use the pythagorean theorem:

According to this diagram, the length of the ladder would be the hypotenuse and the distance between the base and the wall would be one of the legs of the triangle, to find the other leg, use the pythagorean theorem:

`x = \sqrt{ {16}^(2) - {4}^(2) } \\ x = √(240) \\ x = 15.49`

The ladder hits the wall at 15:49 feet.

Answer 2

15.49

Explanation:

The pythagorean theorem

4^2 + B^2 = 16^2

16 + B^2 = 256

16 + 240 = 265

Sqrt240 = 15.49