Question

Pythagorean

Diego props a 10ft ladder against the wall how high up will the ladder reach if the foot of ladder is 5 feet away from the wall ?

Answer 1

5√3 ft

Explanation:

If the ladder is 10ft tall, then that represents the hypotenuse. If the foot of our ladder is 5ft away from the wall, that is a side length that we know. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, a²+b²=c², where a and b are side lengths of a right triangle, and c is the hypotenuse, we can solve for the missing side length:

a²+b²=c²

(5)²+b²=(10)²

25+b²=100

b²=75

b=√75

b=5√3

So the ladder will reach a height of 5√3 ft.